Norway publishes updated guidance on resistant microbes in healthcare

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) has published a handbook consolidating advice on preventing and managing resistant microbes across Norwegian healthcare. Developed through assessment of knowledge and experience, collaboration with Norwegian and Nordic infection-control professionals, and broad consultation, it supports Norway’s national One Health strategy against antimicrobial resistance for 2024–2033.

The handbook updates advice on when patients admitted to hospitals or nursing homes should be screened for resistant microbes. It also revises recommendations for MRSA screening among healthcare workers and measures following MRSA detection in this group. These recommendations were coordinated with the Norwegian Directorate of Health, which is publishing a circular on the same topic. The handbook will replace FHI’s previous MRSA guidance and other online advice on infection-control measures for resistant microbes.

FHI aims to reduce variation in infection-control practice while retaining adaptation to local conditions. Supporting resources include practical tools, multilingual patient information and implementation webinars. The announcement does not specify the revised screening criteria or report clinical outcome data; clinicians will need to consult the handbook for operational recommendations.

Further updates are planned, including a chapter on unexpected detections and outbreaks in nursing homes and outside institutions. Related FHI webpages will be updated over time. Development was partly funded through EU-JAMRAI-2.