Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern and serious health threat – locally, nationally and globally. Past reports suggested that in the United States, more than two million people are sickened every year with antibiotic-resistant infections, with at least 23,000 dying as a result; and, each year an estimated 250,000 illnesses and 14,000 deaths occur due to Clostridium difficile, directly related to antibiotic use and resistance (CDC National Summary Data, 2013).
More recent literature considers these to be very conservative estimates. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that antibiotic resistance and the need for antibiotic stewardship has become a national healthcare priority.
Professionals across the healthcare continuum have a responsibility to:
- Understand the growing threat that antibiotic resistance is creating
- Study and understand the core elements of antibiotic stewardship
- Acknowledge how their practices impact antibiotic resistance
- Collaborate with their peers to develop and implement comprehensive antibiotic stewardship program
- Above all else, protect their patients by actively practicing stewardship and continually providing education to support these critical efforts
Numerous organizations have created materials that support and promote antibiotic stewardship. We encourage healthcare professionals to do their part to combat antibiotic resistance by promoting and practicing antibiotic stewardship. Find resources at the links below:
CDC Get Smart Week – Resources for healthcare professionals
Great Plains QIN
HRET HIIN
WebEx Opportunity: Antibiotic Stewardship in Nursing Homes
Thursday, October 19, 2017
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (CT)
Join infectious disease doctor, Sarah Kabbani, MD, MSc, a medical officer with CDC’s Office of Antibiotic Stewardship for a discussion of CDC’s Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes. Upon completion of the WebEx, participants will be able to:
- Highlight the importance of antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes and in new regulations
- Define the core elements of antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes
- Discuss actions that can be taken to promote stewardship activities
Visit our Web site for more details.
This event is brought to you by the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network in partnership with the QIN-QIOs serving Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Great Plains QIN is working within our region to help slow the emergence of resistance bacteria and prevent the spread of resistant infections. We share information and education on the principles of antimicrobial stewardship through outreach, education and technical assistance. We partner with practitioners, pharmacists, system leadership as well as consumers of care. Click here for more information.