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SINCE THE 1940s,
antibiotics have
greatly reduced illness and death from
infectious diseases. We have relied
upon them to fight everything from
infected cuts to potentially deadly
pneumonia. They are lifesavers and
among the most commonly prescribed
drugs used in human medicine —
more than half of all hospital patients
receive an antibiotic.
But now, many of these important
drugs are becoming powerless. Why?
Because they have been used so widely
and for so long that the infectious
organisms the antibiotics are designed
to kill have adapted to them, making
the drugs less ineffective and leading
to“superbugs”—dangerous antibiotic-
resistant bacteria that can’t be easily
controlled.
Now an effort to promote the
appropriate use of antimicrobials —
called antibiotic stewardship — has
been implemented across the country.
The effort can help preserve the
effectiveness of antibiotics, extend
their lifespan and protect the public
from antibiotic-resistant infections and
adverse events.
“In 2015, President Obama released
a plan to combat antibiotic-resistant
bacteria,” said Pam Renard, Pharm.D.,
Kadlec clinical pharmacy coordinator. “It
started a national effort to be proactive
about the use of these drugs.”
Kadlec began its antimicrobial
stewardship work with a pilot program
that looked at antibiotic use in all
departments across the hospital.
Following that initial program,
Kristen Williams, Pharm.D., was hired to
help lead a permanent program.
Her job is to track antibiotic use at
Kadlec and to educate both providers
and patients on the appropriate use
of these drugs. The new program
helps clinicians improve the quality
of patient care and improve patient
safety through increased infection
cure rates, reduced treatment failures
and increased frequency of correct
prescribing for therapy.
“We are not saying don’t use
antibiotics. Instead, we emphasize the
use of the right antibiotic, at the right
dose for the right duration of therapy,”
saidWilliams. “It takes a culture change,
both for providers and for patients. We
are all used to getting antibiotics when
we are sick, even when the infection
is caused by a virus. Now we want to
encourage the use of antibiotics only
when necessary.”
Too Much of a Good Thing
New antimicrobial stewardship program launched at Kadlec
You have a role in antibiotic stewardship, too
Keep hands
clean.
Washing
with soap and
water for at least
20 seconds helps
avoid getting
and spreading
infections.
Insist on clean
hands. If you
don’t see health
care providers or
visitors wash their
hands, ask them
to do so.
Use antibiotic
creams sparingly.
Only use over-the-
counter antibiotic
ointments
containing
bacitracin and
neomycin for cuts
and scrapes that
leave visible dirt
behind. Wash
all superficial
wounds with soap
and water.
Get vaccinated.
Some of the
recommended
vaccines protect
against bacterial
infections, such
as diphtheria and
whooping cough
(pertussis).
Don’t push for
antibiotics.
If your doctor
says you don’t
have a bacterial
infection, don’t
insist. Instead, ask
about other ways
to get relief.
Follow
directions.
Take
the full course of
your prescription,
even if you feel
better after a
day or two. If
treatment stops
too soon, the
antibiotic might
not kill all the
bacteria, some
of which might
reinfect you and
become resistant.
Don’t use
leftover
antibiotics
from a previous
infection.
Don’t
take antibiotics
prescribed for
another person.
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