Background The annual epidemiological report and annual report of the EARS-NET of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) describes a continuing deteriorating situation in European countries. Antimicrobial resistance is increasing in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates and surveillance data show high percentages of ESBL-positive isolates. Of particular concern is the increased percentage of Klebsiella pneumoniae and other bacterial groups resistant to carbapanems (last line antibiotics). Furthermore, the percentage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is still high and remains a public health priority On any given day 5.7% of the patients in European hospitals has a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) with a prevalence of at least one HAI of 19.5% for patients admitted to Intensive Care Units. HAIs are accountable for at least 37000 attributable deaths with annual financial losses estimated at €7 billion reflecting 16 million extra days of hospital stay. Each year 4 131 000 patients are affected by approximately 4 544 100 episodes of HAIs.