Antibiotics have saved countless lives over the years, but their overuse and misuse have led to a pressing issue: antibiotic resistance. Great Plains Quality Innovation Network has developed a new tool to help educate patients and families about antibiotic awareness; emphasizing the critical need to use antibiotics wisely. This tool equips individuals with knowledge to combat the emergence of ‘superbugs’ and helps protect the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.
This tool helps relay the importance that antibiotics must be used only when necessary. Relying on antibiotics for minor ailments, such as coughs and sore throats, contributes to a scenario where antibiotics may eventually lose their effectiveness in combating serious infections.
Antibiotic stewardship calls for collective efforts from communities to address the problem of antibiotic resistance. By fostering awareness and responsible antibiotic use, we are helping preserve the efficacy of antibiotics to ward off infections.
The tool includes five questions individuals can ask their healthcare provider during appointments. These questions enable individuals to actively engage in conversations about their treatment options. By promoting open dialogue between patients and providers, individuals can better advocate for their own health while contributing to the collective effort against antibiotic resistance.
Additional Resources Developed by Great Plains QIN:
- Connecting the Dots: Antibiotics, Immunizations and Sepsis
- Core Elements for Antibiotic Stewardship in Nursing Homes: Training Video
To learn more, check out our podcast, Q-Tips For Your Ears
Episode 5, Antibiotic Use – Gain Knowledge and Understanding: What are antibiotics, why is antibiotic awareness important and how can we be good stewards when using antibiotics? Knowing when antibiotics are needed and how antibiotic misuse can affect others is key to having antibiotics work when we need them. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.