This guide has been drafted as a concrete protocol of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in order to provide practical assistance for the development of hygiene practices at veterinary receptions and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Increasing antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest national health threats in the world. The antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria in animals is also increasing at an alarming rate. Reducing the use of antimicrobials mitigates the development of resistance and improving the level of hygiene at veterinary receptions can also effectively prevent infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Daily hygiene procedures and taking standard precautions form the basis for preventing infections. These precautions must be taken with each and every patient by all reception personnel. Proper hand hygiene is the foundation of hygiene protocols. In addition to proper hand hygiene, hygiene protocols and standard precautions include aseptic technique, the proper use of personal protection equipment, the immediate cleaning of secretions, the prevention of needle stick and cutting injuries, and maintaining reception tidiness and cleanliness.

Furthermore, special attention must be given to the treatment and handling of risk patients, i.e. potential carriers of resistant bacteria and animals with contagious diseases. The identification of risk patients, choosing the right treatment room and treatment planning at the reception are crucial to avoiding contamination of the facility and the spread of infection transmitted by the hands of personnel, the environment and the equipment used. This guide will help point out essential factors in the planning of hygiene protocols at different veterinary receptions.