Since the 1980s, new dangers in patient care, such as treatment-associated infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens (MRE), have increasingly come to the fore. Protection against pathogens with antibiotic resistance (e.g. MRSA, VRE, ESBL) is therefore of paramount importance, as the proportion in Germany in an international comparison shows that a significant reduction in such infections is possible.

The main objectives of the "MRE Network Northwest" project are to ensure patient safety by forming regional model networks and improving the interfaces between healthcare partners.

The regional "Model Network Rhineland" is managed by the public health department in Bonn. The Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University Hospital in Bonn acts as a cooperation partner.

The supra-municipal network "mre-netz regio rhein-ahr" was founded on September 1, 2010 in order to effectively counter the increasing problems with multi-resistant pathogens. In addition to Bonn University Hospital, the founding members are the NRW municipalities of Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis and the City of Bonn, as well as the district of Ahrweiler from Rhineland-Palatinate.