Centre for Microbiology

Main activity of the Centre for Microbiology is etiological diagnostics of infectious diseases by isolation and identification of microorganisms using standard and automated methods and serological tests.

In addition to this, Centre for Microbiology is an important part of EuSCAPE project (European Survey on Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae) and has status of National Reference Laboratory for AMR Monitoring and Surveillance since 2008. Centre performs registration and surveillance of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs, participates in surveillance of infections caused by resistant bacterial strains, organizes and harmonizes the AMR surveillance system in Serbia to match approved international standards, prepares the national guidelines for AMR testing and use of antibiotics, establishes database and collection of resistant bacterial strains, performs molecular typing and research of molecular resistance mechanisms. Centre for Microbiology also collaborates with other laboratories on the issues concernig diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of infections caused by resistant bacteria, participates in quality assessment of microbiological laboratories work in healthcare institutions and organizes programs for interlaboratory testing in Serbia. All the results are used in defining National strategy and action plan to combat AMR in Serbia, and were presented to Ministry of Health RS, Institute of Public Health of Serbia and representatives of CAESAR (The Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance) network.

Organization

At the moment Centre for Microbiology employs 6 Medical doctors – Microbiology specialists, 1 physician specializing in Microbiology, 1 biologist, 1 molecular biologist, 4 senior laboratory technicians, 20 laboratory technicians, 1 secretary and 1 administrator of the Centre.

Organizational units:

1. Department of Clinical bacteriology which includes Laboratory for pyogenic infections, Laboratory for urine cultures, Laboratory for diagnostics of sexualy transmited diseases and Laboratory for coprology.

2. Department of Parasitology and Serology

3. Department for Antimicrobial resistance research with Laboratory for molecular biology

4. Department for sample reception and processing

Activities of Center for Microbiology

Department of Clinical bacteriology

• Testing of clinical samples (blood and CSF samples, nasopharyngeal, eye and ear cultures, vaginal and cervical cultures, sputum, urine and stool specimens, etc.) for bacterial infections.

• Conformation of identification and susceptibility testing to antimicrobial drugs of clinically significant bacterial species.

• Screening of nasal and throat cultures for detection of carriers.

• Screening of stool samples for intestinal carrier state.

Department of Parasitology and Serology

• Serological testing for bacterial and parasitic infections.

• Testing of stool, blood and urine samples, perianal imprints and sputum for parasitic infections.

Departmant for Antimicrobial Resistance Research with Laboratory for molecular biology

• Conformation of identification and susceptability testing to antimicrobial drugs of clinically significant bacterial species

• Molecular typing and detection of genes and molecular resistance mechanisms

• Establishing the laboratory database and collection of resistant bacterial strains

Departmant for sample reception and processing

• Specimens are received, sorted, entered into the laboratory information system and processed and prepared for testing

• Provides laboratory results for patients and clinics

Educational activities

Centre of Microbiology is a teaching base of Departmant of microbiology with immunology of Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad. Students of medicine, stomatology, healthcare and pharmacy attend classes in Serbian and English language. Organization and implementation of undergraduate studies is supervised by one professor, one associate professor, one docent and one teaching assistant.

Undergraduate studies – Microbiology with immunology for students of general medicine and stomatology in Serbian and English language, as well as for students of healthcare and pharmacy in Serbian language.

Postgraduate studies – Specializations, subspecializations and PhD studies.

Science and research

• Antimicrobal resistance monitoring and surveillance of clinical isolates in Serbia for 8 bacterial species

• Detection of MICs and MBCs and beta-lactamase production

• Molecular typing and detection of genes and molecular resistance mechanisms

MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING

Current projects:

1. European Survey on Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (EuSCAPE)

2. Detection of bacteria in the oral cavity using wireless sensors in order to improve oral health of the population (Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development, Vojvodina, 114-541-833/2015-01)

Chosen bibliography:

1. Medić D, Gusman V, Jelesić Z, Mihajlović-Ukropina M. Frequency of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from blood in Vojvodina, Serbia during 2009 to 2010. Afr J Microbiol Res 2011; 5(29): 5239-5244. (M23)

2. Jerant-Patić V, Milošević V, Hrnjaković-Cvjetković I, Patić A, Bogavac M, Medić D, Gusman V, Radovanov J, Erić Ž. Chlamydia trachomatis – infections in women. HealthMED 2011; 5 (3): 549-556. (M23)

3. Medić D, Gusman V, Mihajlović-Ukropina M, Jelesić Z, Milosavljević B. Bloodstream infections in children caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Arch. Biol. Sci., Belgrade 2012; 64(4): 1339-1347. (M23)

4. Gusman V, Medić D, Jelesić Z, Mihajlović-Ukropina M. Sphingomonas paucimobilis as a biofilm producer. Arch. Biol. Sci., Belgrade 2012; 64(4): 1327-1331. (M23)

5. Gusman V, Medić D, Jelesić Z, Mihajlović-Ukropina M, Milošević V, Považan A. Listeria monocytogenes isolated in ready-to-eat food in South Bačka region of Vojvodina province, Serbia. Arch. Biol. Sci., Belgrade 2014;66(1):11-14. (M23)

6. Gušić I, Medić D, Radovanović Kanjuh M, Đurić M, Brkić S, Turkulov V, Predin T, Mirnić J. Treatment of periodontal disease with an octenidine-based antiseptic in HIV-positive patients. Int J Dent Hygiene 2015 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12141. (M23)

7. Mihajlović-Ukropina M, Trudić A, Jelesić Z, Medić D, Milosavljević B, Zivlak B. Detection of carbapenemase genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Srp Arh Celok Lek, 2016;144(5-6):307-311. (M23)

8. Trudić A, Jelesić Z, Mihajlović-Ukropina M, Medić D, Zivlak B, Gusman V, Đilas M. Carbapenemase production in hospital isolates of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Serbia. Vojnosanit Pregl, 2016 (In publish – In press) (M23)

9. Vasiljevic D, Kojic S, Medic D, Pivas B, Tadic A, Mirkovic S, Radovanovic M. Cost-effective interdigitated capacitive sensor for measurement of Staphylococcus aureus concentration in saline. ETICUM 2016, Novi Sad; 2016:109-112. (M63)

10. Vasiljevic D, Kojić S, Pivas B, Medic D, Tadic A, Mirkovic S, Radovanovic M. Cost-effective interdigitated capacitive sensors for efficient bacteria detection. Zbornik radova. INFOTEH-JAHORINA 2016, Jahorina;2016:11-14. (M33)

Centre of Virology

Since its establishment, the primary aim of the Centre of virology has been providing a modern and comprehensive virology service. The Centre consists of a linked and co-ordinated group of laboratories which offer a range of diagnostic services for the detection and monitoring of viral illnesses in both the adult and pediatric patient populations. Centre processes about 25 000 specimens and performs about 100000 analysis per year, using serologic- immunodiagnostic, molecular, and viral culture assays.

Viral serologic testing monitors the immune system’s antibody response to viral antigen exposure, including both infection and immunization. Laboratories for serologic testing in our Centre perform Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assays (ELFA), Chemiluminescent Immunoassays (CLIA), Enzyme Linked Immunoassays (ELISA) and Western-Blot assays for the detection of pathogen or specific IgM/IgA antibodies which are detectable shortly after the onset of illness, and IgG antibodies which appear later and indicate past infection and immunity in most instances. We have been routinely involved in the serologic diagnostics and assessment of immune status of the population of Vojvodina against:

• most common causes of endemic and epidemic respiratory viral infections: Influenza A and Influenza B viruses, Parainfluenza viruses, Respiratory syncytial virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Adenoviruses;

• viruses with teratogenic effects in pregnancy: Herpes simplex viruses, Cytomegalovirus, Rubella virus, Parvovirus B19;

• sexually and parenterally transmitted viruses - Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus, AIDS - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Human lymphotropic virus (HTLV);

• fecal-orally transmited Hepatis A virus - cause of acute viral hepatitis;

• Enteroviruses, particularly Coxsackieviruses and Echoviruses, associated with a wide range of diseases including aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, etc.;

• viruses that cause childhood diseases: Measles virus, Mumps virus, Rubella virus and Varicella zoster virus;

• Arboviruses that cause enchepalitis and haemoragic fever: West-Nile virus, Zika virus, Tick-Born encephalitis virus, Dengua viruses, Usutu virus and Chikungunya virus;

• important non-viral pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii, Chlamydia pneumonae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Rapid immunochromatographic assays involves the identification of viral protein antigens in patient samples or infected cell culture using virus-specific, labeled antibody reagents. They are used for the detection of Rotaviruses, Noroviruses, Astroviruses, Adenoviruses, Respiratory syncytial virus, Influenza A and B viruses, and are especially suitable in emergency/field situations requiring rapid diagnosis. Those tests enable laboratory confirmation and surveillance of respiratory virus outbreaks and acute viral gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Laboratory for cell culture offers the ability for isolation of viruses from clinical specimens using continuous cell lines (MDCK, Vero, RD, and Hep-2) which support the replication of a wide variety of clinically relevant viruses (influenza viruses, herpes simplex viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, etc.). Based on the specimen source, the characteristic cytopathic effect (the visible cellular changes that occur in response to viral infection), and type of cell culture, a preliminary identification can be made. The presence of a specific virus is confirmed by immunodiagnostic testing.

Laboratory for molecular virology testing performs specific and sensitive real-time PCR assays for the diagnosis of viral diseases via the detection and characterization of viral and non-viral nucleic acids. Real-time PCR technology enables most specific and sensitive viral detection, accuracy, reproducibility, minimal risk of false positive results, and short turnaround time. The major focus of this laboratory is the detection of:

• Human papilloma viruses DNA of high and low risk types in genital specimens for cervical cancer screening triage;

• Influenza A viruses ((H1N1)09pdm, H3N2, H1N1, H5N1and H7N9 subtypes) RNA and Influenza B viruses (B Victoria and B Yamagata) RNA in respiratory specimens for the diagnosis of flu;

• Respiratory syncytial virus, Methapneumovirus, Rhinoviruses, Parainfluenza viruses 1-4 RNA and Adenoviruses and Boca virus DNA in respiratory specimens for the etiological diagnosis of acute respiratory infections;

• Arboviruses RNA (West-Nile virus, Zika virus, Dengua viruses, Chikungunya virus and Usutu virus) in moscitos, in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples for the diagnosis of encephalitis;

• Hepatitis C virus RNA, and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proviral DNA/RNA in blood samples for confirmation of positive and clarifying inconclusive serologic test results, and screening transplant candidates and donors;

• Cytomegalovirus DNA and Epstein-Barr virus DNA in blood samples for monitoring their reactivation in immunocompromised/transplant patients;

• Rotaviruses RNA, Astroviruses RNA, and Noroviruses RNA for the diagnosis of acute viral gastroenteritis

• Enteroviruses RNA in cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of acute meningitis and encephalitis;

• Chlamydia pn., Mycoplasma pn. and Legionella pn. DNA in respiratory specimens

The Centre of virology performs real-time PCR testing of water samples for the presence of Rotaviruses, Adenoviruses, Noroviruses, Astroviruses, Enteroviruses, Hepatitis A virus and Legionella pn.

The Centre of virology has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the National Influenza Centre (NIC) since 1953. NIC is part of the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network, with the principal task – continuous virological surveillance of influenza virus activity in population of Vojvodina. For a number of years influenza surveillance has been performed by isolation of influenza viruses from respiratory specimens in embryonated chicken eggs and antigenic typing of isolates with reference antisera, as well as by serological monitoring the immune status of population of Vojvodina. In 2010, conventional laboratory diagnosis of influenza based on virus isolation and serologic testing, has been improved by introduction of molecular virology tests. Since then, detection of influenza has been conducted continuously by real-time RT PCR tests for typing of influenza A and B viruses, and subtyping of influenza A ((H1N1)09pdm, H3N2, H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 viruses) and subtyping of influenza B viruses (B Victoria and B Yamagata). For number of years Centre has been maintaining active collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza (CCRRI) in London. NIC Novi Sad participates in annual WHO External Quality Assurance Programme (EQAP), wich was established to monitor the quality of NIC laboratories that perform PCR diagnosis of influenza infections and to identify gaps of PCR testing. 

Centar za higijenu i humanu ekologiju

Osnovna delatnost Centra je praćenje i proučavanje činilaca rizika u životnoj sredini i njihovog uticaja na zdravlje ljudi.

ORGANIZACIJA CENTRA

Centar za higijenu i humanu ekologiju je organizovan u četiri organizacione celine-odeljenja. u centru zaposleno je ukupno 57 radnika, od toga 7 lekara (2 doktora nauka, 2 magistra, 2 lekara specijalista higijene, 1 lekar opšte medicine), 1 specijalista sanitarne hemije, 1 specijalista medicinske biohemije, 1 doktor hemijskih nauka, 1 magistar hemijskih nauka, 2 diplomirana inženjera hemije, 3 diplomirana inženjera tehnologije, 1 viši sanitarni tehničar, 1 inženjer hemijske tehnologije – strukovni inženjer, 2 inženjera zaštite životne sredine, 1 inženjer prehrambene tehnologije, 1 inženjer hemijske tehnologije, 1 viši dijetetičar – nutricionista, 2 poljoprivredna tehničara, 6 medicinskih sestara i tehničara, 15 hemijskih tehničara, 3 administrativna radnika, 5 peračica na neodređeno vreme i 3 radnika na određeno vreme (1 lekar opšte medicine, 1 diplomirani inženjer zaštite životne sredine i 1 diplomirani hemičar).

Organizacione jedinice Centra:

Odeljenje za humanu ekologiju

• Javno zdravstveni nadzor zdravstvene bezbednosti vode za piće;
• Kontrola zdravstvene, odnosno mikrobiološke i fizičko-hemijske ispravnosti i kvaliteta podzemnih voda;
• Kontrola zdravstvene bezbednosti prirodnih mineralnih, izvorskih i stonih voda;
• Kontrola zdravstvene bezbednosti vode bazena za kupanje i vode terapijskih bazena;
• Javno zdravstveni nadzor voda javnih kupališta i površinskih voda;
• Kontrola kvaliteta otpadnih voda različitog porekla i namene;
• Utvrđivanje, praćenje i izrada stručnog mišljenja o kvalitetu vazduha u životnoj sredini i procena uticaja štetnih materija iz vazduha na zdravlje ljudi;
• Utvrđivanje, praćenje i izrada stručnog mišljenja o dnevnom, večernjem i noćnom nivou buke u životnoj sredini sa procenom uticaja na zdravlje ljudi;
• Utvrđivanje, praćenje i izrada stručnog mišljenja o celodnevnom nivou buke u životnoj sredini sa procenom uticaja na zdravlje ljudi;
• Utvrđivanje, praćenje i izrada stručnog mišljenja o nivou buke u životnoj sredini po pojedinačnim zahtevima korisnika;
• Zdravstveni nadzor nad sanitarnim stanjem javnih komunalnih objekta sa procenom uticaja na zdravlje ljudi;
• Procena uticaja utvrđenih štetnih materija iz životne sredine na zdravlje ljudi.

Odeljenje laboratorijskih službi

• Obavlja ispitivanja fizičko-hemijskim metodama: kvaliteta vazduha, voda za piće, mineralnih voda, izvorskih i flaširanih voda, podzemnih voda, voda bazena, voda kupališta, površinskih voda, voda posebnih namena i otpadnih voda kao i zdravstvene bezbednosti namirnica i predmeta opšte uporebe
• Određuje energetsku vrednost i nutritivni sastav namirnica i gotovih obroka
• Odeljenje laboratorijskih službi je akreditovano prema standardu JUS ISO 17025:2005 i obim ispitivanja koja su akreditovana data su na sajtu Akreditacionog tela Srbije na adresi:http://www.ats.rs/upload/dl/REGISTAR/LAB_ZA_ISPITIVANJE/01-131.pdf

Odeljenje za pravilnu ishranu i zdravstvenu bezbednost hrane 

• Sarađuje sa Ministarstvom zdravlja i Ministarstvom poljoprivrede, vodoprivrede i šumarstva u kontroli zdravstvene bezbednosti namirnica koje se proizvode i stavljaju u promet na teritoriji Republike Srbije;
• Sarađuje sa Ministarstvom zdravlja u kontroli zdravstvene ispravnosti predmeta iopšte upotrebe koji se proizvode i stavljaju u promet na teritoriji Republike Srbije;
• Pruža pomoć proizvođačima i prometnicima hrane u kontroli zdravstvene bezbednosti hrane i predmeta opšte upotrebe koji se proizvode, stavljaju u promet na teritoriji Republike Srbije ili se izvoze;
• Pruža pomoć proizvođačima i prometnicima dijetetskih proizvoda kontroli zdravstvene bezbednosti pre stavljnja u promet na teritoriji Republike Srbije;
• Sarađuje sa Upravom za zdravstvo Uprave Grada Novog Sada u kontroli energetske i biološke vrednosti obroka, zdravstvene ispravnosti namirnica i higijene objekata za proizvodnju i raspodelu obroka organizovane društvene ishrane dece predškolskog i školskog uzrasta i socijalno ugroženih osoba;
• Sarađuje sa vlasnicima objekata za proizvodnju i promet gotovih obroka u kontroli energetske i biološke vrednosti obroka;
• Sarađuje sa vlasnicima objekata za proizvodnju i promet gotovih obroka u izradi receptura i jelovnika za obroke koje pripremaju za korisnike svih uzrastnih grupa;
• Pruža stručno-metodološku podršku u izradi zdravstveno-promotivnih i materijala za edukaciju u oblasti unapređenja zdravlja i prevencije bolesti.
• Sprovodi populaciono i individualno obrazovanje o pravilnoj ishrani; sprovodi populaciono i individualno rano otkrivanje bolesti usled nepravilne ishrane delujući preventivno medicinskom nutritivnom prevencijom i terapijski medicinskom nutritivnom terapijom kako na populacionom tako i na individualnom nivou;
• Pružanja usluga medicinske nutritivne terapije svim zainteresovanim pravnim licima;
• Biohemijsku dijagnostiku svih potrebnih biohemijskih činilaca koji uslovljavaju nastanak bolesti usled nepravilne ishrane;
• Pravljenja dnevnih, nedeljnih i mesečnih planova ishrane (jelovnika) za sve populacione grupe u različitim oblicima javne ishrane;
• Svi navedeni poslovi obavljaju se prema preporukama Svetske zdravstvene organizacije i drugih međunarodno priznatih organizacija u oblasti pravilne ishrane ljudi.

Odeljenje za školsku higijenu 

• Sprovodi sanitarno-higijenski nadzor stanja predškolskih i školskih objekata

Center for disease control and prevention

The main activities of the Center for disease control and prevention are

• Surveillance and monitoring of the accurance of infectious diseases,

• Implementation of immunization program,

• Monitoring, analyses, disease prevention programs and projects,

• Health surveillance and medical supervision of certain population groups

ORGANIZATION OF THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

The Center employs 24 employees overall: eight specialist in epidemiology (of whom four PhDs) and one doctor specializing in epidemiology, two Environmental-Sanitation Engineers, one Professional Nurse-specialist, nine health technicians and administrative staff (3 employees).

Organizational units of the Center:

Department for epidemiological surveillance of zoonoses, vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases

The main activities of this department are:

• Sureveillance, monitoring and analysis of the accurance and trends of zoonoses, vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases

• Periodical reports on epidemiological situation and infectious diseases trends

• Epidemiological surveys of zoonoses, vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases

• Epidemiological research and reports on the infectious diseases outbreaks

• Proposing measures for prevention and control of zoonoses, vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases

• Monitoring and studying of zoonoses, vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases and conducting targeted research

• Conducting methodological and doctrinal affairs in order to control and prevent zoonoses, vector-borne and intestinal infectious diseases and monitoring of legislation in this fild

Section for epidemiological surveillance of HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases

The main activities of this section are:

• Epidemiological surveillance of blood and/or sexually transmitted infections;

• Monitoring and evaluation of different prevention strategies;

• Monitoring and surveilance of HIV, hepatitis, STD and tuberculosis;

• Analyzing trends and risk factors of HIV infections, STD’s and hepatitis;

• Managing Regional registry for HIV infections;

• Coordination of the HIV Network on the territory of Autonomus Province of Vojvodina;

• Implementation of targeted epidemiological surveys,

• Conducting methodological and doctrinal matters in the field of control and prevention of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections and monitoring legislation in this field.

Within the section there is a unit for voluntary counseling and testing clients on HIV and other blood and sexually transmitted infections which is functionally associated with the Laboratory for HIV infections and viral hepatitis that conducts laboratory diagnosis of HIV infections and viral hepatitis. The main activities are counseling of clients with clinical and epidemiological indications as well as legally required testing.

Section for epidemiological surveillance of healthcare-associated infections

• Management of Surveillance system of healthcare-associated infections

• Reporting on frequency of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) to the participants of the surveillance and to the Ministry of health

• Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections on regional level and coordination of the surveillance on the local level in all healthcare facilities in the region

• Recommending measures of prevention and control of HAI and outbreaks of HAI

• Conducting targeted epidemiological surveys of HAI and risk factors for specific anatomical localization, causative agents and antimicrobial resistance

• Instructing participants of methods of epidemiological surveillance;

• Participating in the work of the Commission for Hospital Infections at local and national level;

• Conducting professional, methodological and doctrinal activities in the field of control and prevention of HAI and monitors legislation in this field

Section for immunization and epidemiological surveillance of respiratory disseases

• Implementation and analysis of the results of the program of mandatory immunization and reporting on performed immunizations;

• Monitoring of the mandatory fieldwork immunization and professional and methodological assistance at different vaccine checkpoints;

• Supervising side effects after immunization and coordinating the work of the Expert Team for contraindications of the immunization;

• Conducting targeted research in these areas;

• Planning of immunobiological preparations and centralized supply of vaccines and control of the implementation of cold chain of vaccines on the field;

• Monitoring and studying of respiratory diseases and diseases which could be prevented by immunisation;

• Implementation of Program measures in order to maintain the status of the „polio free“ country and National programs for elimination and eradication of certain vaccinable diseases under the jurisdiction of epidemiological services and briefing of the participants in the Program;

• Organising Population and Sentinel surveillance of the influenza and acute respiratory infections;

• Professional, methodological and doctrinal specific tasks in the field of infectious diseases and monitoring prevention including legislation on this field. Within the section, there is a clinic for post-exposure and preventive immunisation against hepatitis B

Department for medical supervision

• Organisation and conducting mandatory medical supervision of people who are subjected to this obligation under applicable legislation

• Implementation of targeted health education for people under medical supervision or/and carriers of certain infectious agents

• Aquiring material for laboratory testing in the context of medical supervision on site and in the field

• Issuing an opinion on the prescribed form (sanitary booklet) of the ability to work in certain jobs

• Conducting professional methodological tasks and monitoring legislation in this field

STUDY TITLE: „ EUropean prospective cohort study on Enterobacteriaeae showing REsistance to CArbapenems “

A study of the COMBACTE-CARE project (Combatting Bacterial Resistance in Europe – Carbapenem resistance) (http://www.combacte.com/About-us/COMBACTE-CARE). COMBACTE-CARE is a recently launched collaborative project under the Innovative Medicines Initiative(IMI) research program New Drugs 4 Bad Bugs (ND4BB), in which 18 European academic partners and 3 pharmaceutical companies are involved. COMBACTE-CARE will bring highly innovative studies and activities related to treatment of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB). 

EURECA study is a prospective observational cohort study to assess the clinical management and outcomes of patients with MDR‐GNB infections. The aim of this prospective study is to obtain high‐quality observational data about the clinical management, best available therapy, mortality and cost of complicated intraabdominal infections (cIAI), nosocomial pneumonia (NP), bloodstream infections (BSI) and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) due to CRE or CRAB. 

The study is carried out in the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina (IPHV) at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Center for microbiology, together with 50 other healtcare institutions in the Europe.

The principle investigator and the study coordinator in the IPHV: Associate professor Gorana Dragovac, MD, PhD, epidemiologist

The principle lab investigator in the IPHV: Assistant professor Deana Medić, MD, PhD, microbiologist.

Centar za promociju zdravlja

Delatnost Centra za promociju zdravlja je podsticanje partnerstva za zdravlje unutar zdravstvenog sistema, podsticanje interdisciplinarne i intersektorske saradnje, usmeravanje na zdravstvene probleme koji najviše doprinose opterećenju bolestima stanovništva, usmeravanje na osetljive populacione grupe, unapređenje metoda u promociji zdravlja i zdravstvenom vaspitanju i jačanje ljudskih resursa u promociji zdravlja.

ORGANIZACIJA CENTRA

U Centru je zaposleno 3 lekara (2 lekara specijaliste socijalne medicine magistri medicinskih nauka, 1 lekar na specijalizaciji, master), 2 više medicinske sestre i 1 tehnička sekretarica.

Organizacione jedinice Centra:

Odeljenje za zdravlje zajednice 

Center for Analysis, Planning and Organization of Health Care

The main activity of the Center for Analysis, Planning and Organization of Health Care is to monitor the health status of population of Vojvodina, South Backa District and municipalities, as well as to monitor and study the health risks in the community and the health of vulnerable groups. Strategically the Center is focused on the organization and health management, with particular emphasis on planning, monitoring and evaluation of achieved results. The Center promotes and supports innovative research, education, human resource development and public health programs.

Center Organization

The Center has Sector for planning health care service and organization of health care with 4 employees: 3 medical specialists in social medicine (2 PhDs) and 1 nurse.

The main tasks of the Center are:

- Monitors and analyzes organization, operation and use of the health facilities in primary health care (PHC), inpatient healthcare institutions and healthcare institutions that perform health activities at all three levels of healthcare

- Evaluates the performance and workload of health workers, gives an opinion on the hire justification of new workers and gives an opinion on the justification of receiving specialization and sub-specialization for health workers and health associates

- Provides professional and methodological support for health care institutions in the development of their work plans, gives its opinion on the harmonization of work plans with health care and health insurance program and gives an opinion on the execution of work plans

- Monitors and analyzes the health status of the population

- Conducts targeted research and performs other tasks in its area of expertise

- Creates an annual health care plan of mandatory health insurance for the population of the South Backa District.
- Conducts and analyzes specific research of health and the factors that are affecting the health of the population and especially health of vulnerable categories.
- Coordinates the work and provides professional and methodological assistance for planning and organization of health care to other institutes of public health on the territory of AP Vojvodina.
- Tracks and analyzes health care quality indicators and conducts research on user satisfaction with health care, as well as on the satisfaction of employees in health institutions of the South Backa District.
- Conducts regular checkups of professional performance quality in health institutions from the network plan, as well as in private practice.
- Proposes measures for health care improvement and organization of health activities, the development of health service performance indicators.

Center for informatics and biostatistics

Center for informatics and biostatistics is a part of a statistical research system in do­main of health care on a country level and its responsibility is collecting and processing data from South Bačka District. This mission is achieved by reporting on vital statistics in population, utili­zation and performance of medical services on all health care levels, registered morbidity in pri­mary health care and hospitals, surveillance of chronic noncommunicable diseases, coordi­nation of following up indicators of medical care and updating databases of health system resourses.

Results of continuous statistical workflow are basis for planning and management, assessment of efficacy and quality of health care system. Reporting gives a valuable information about popula­tion health indicators, assisting in identification of health risks by following up the incidence of noncommunicable diseases and creates a basis for adequate prevention programming. Center facilitates the program of development of integrated health information system in Serbia.

Organizational units of Center for informatics and biostatistics

Department for health statistics

• Applies law regulations on health statistics, collects data according to Law on medical documentation and evidence in health care system including private practice: utilization of primary, secondary and tertiary health care, registered morbidity and injuries in primary health care and individual data on hospital discharges

• Updates data on health care workers

• Teaches and gives instructions on applying statistical methods, evidenting data in medical records and reporting

Department for medical informatics

• Follows the advancies on health care informatics and software applications, supports the development of health information system

• Organizes statistical data processing according to legal requirements and participates in informatics projects with other organization units within the Institute

• Performs data verification on a database of medical equipment and health care workers

• Takes part in medical reseach performing statistical analysis on data series

• Collecting and processing data on health care quality indicators

Division for biostatistics

• Registers data about chronic noncommunicable diseases, performs critical data checking procedures, updates databases and reports

• Organizes assistance and education on recording data in medical documentation

• Analyses registry data for evaluating the priorities in health care planning

Teaching and educational activities

Center for informatics and biostatistics in health care is part of teaching base of Department of Social Medicine and Health Statistics and Informatics of Faculty of Medicine of University of Novi Sad. Two assistents are involved in teaching in the field of social medicine and health statistics for students of medicine, dentistry, nursing, medical rehabilitation and special rehabilitation and education.

Scientific and research work

Scientific and research work is focused on population and demographic trends, noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors, health care use and application of statistical methods in population health research.

Work results

• Analysis of demographic data of population of Novi Sad, South Backa District and Vojvodina

• Periodic reporting on health care utilization and registered diseases/injuries in primary health care of South Bačka District

• Annual database of all hospital discharges including comorbidity and medical procedures

• Reports on deliveries and abortions

• Updated registries of chronic noncommunicable diseases

• Databases of health care workers and medical equipment in health institutions

Department of legal, economic and financial activities

SCOPE OF SERVICES

• Preparation of materials for meetings of the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board within the scope of services

• Getting all the necessary materials (medical and non-medical), basic resources

• Collection of debts from customers

• Billing and invoicing services

• The calculation and payment of wages to workers

• Treasury jobs

• Updates and timely posting of documents on the basis of credible

• Upon receipt, storage and issuance of material goods

• Legal jobs

• Library

• Translation jobs

• Professional activities related to HR

• Professional, administrative and technical activities related to the work of the Management Board, Supervisory Board and other organs of the Institute

• Reception office, the expedition mail and the archive

• Professional and administrative affairs, administrative-technical and typing jobs

• Courier jobs

Department of technical and other similar jobs

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Department of system administration and information technology 

• activities related to system administration information system of the Institute

• praćenje razvoja informatike u svim delatnostima Instituta kao i softverska rešenja vezana za poslove koje obavljaju centri i službe Instituta, podsticanje i pomoć u razvoj informacionih tehnologija u svim centrima i službama Instituta

• monitoring the development of information technology in all activities of the Institute as well as software solutions related to the activities carried out by centers and departments of the Institute, to encourage and assist in the development of information technologies in all centers and services of the Institute

• perform other tasks in its field

Department of technical duties

• defense, health and safety at work and fire protection

• maintenance of apparatus, equipment and installations

• operations of central heating, fleet maintenance

• security and hygiene in the building and within the Institute

• photocopiers