The use of antibiotics to treat infections has been proven to save lives. However, 20-50 percent of all antibiotics prescribed in the United States are unnecessary or inappropriate.
Just like any medication, antibiotics have side effects and some of these can be serious, even life-threatening, such as Clostridium difficile in the resident with co-morbid conditions. The United States also has a problem with antibiotic resistance due to the misuse of antibiotics. The CDC estimates more than 23,000 deaths occur annually and more than two million people are infected with antibiotic resistant organisms.
Improving the use of antibiotics is a national priority. Antibiotic Stewardship refers to a set of commitments and actions designed to “optimize the treatment of infections while reducing the adverse events associated with antibiotic use.”
The CDC has created the Core Elements for Nursing Homes, which offers practical ways to initiate or expand antibiotic stewardship activities in nursing homes. Homes are encouraged to work in a step-wise fashion, implementing one or two activities to start and gradually adding new strategies from each element over time.
Any action taken to improve antibiotic use is expected to reduce adverse events, prevent emergence of resistance and lead to better outcomes for residents.
Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2014.
Our Efforts for Improvement
We are working within our region to help slow the emergence of bacterial resistance and prevent the spread of resistant infections through resource sharing, information and education on the principles of antimicrobial stewardship. We are partnering with practitioners, pharmacists, system leadership as well as consumers of care. Antibiotics are a precious resource and preserving their usefulness will require cooperation and engagement by all. Want to learn more and get connected? Visit our website to join our Learning and Action Network and access information and resources on this important topic.