In Germany, an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 patients suffer a hospital acquired infection each year; 10,000 to 20,000 of them die. Typical problems for health care providers are surgical site infections, urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

Since the early 1990s, bacteria resistant to antibiotics (and therefore difficult to treat) play an increasing role in hospital acquired infections. At the Robert Koch Institute, scientists investigate the molecular-genetic properties of the resistant microorganisms. Moreover, they analyse how resistant pathogens spread and provide data on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use online. Regularly updated guidelines are published on how hospital infections can be avoided with hygiene measures.

Since 2020, RKI has had the legal mandate to compile a list of multi-resistant bacterial pathogens together with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and to develop criteria for classifying a newly authorised antibiotic as a reserve antibiotic. Based on the list of pathogens and criteria, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) can classify antibiotics as reserve antibiotics; the additional benefit of these antibiotics is then considered proven and pharmaceutical companies do not have to prove it via studies (§ 35a SGB V reserve antibiotics).

• Classification of reserve antibiotics according to §35a SGB V: Update of the pathogen list and criteria by RKI and BfArM (2025)