patient safety & quality
By J . Hudson Garrett Jr ., PhD , MSN , MPH , MBA , FNP-BC , IP-BC , PLNC , CFER , AS-BC , VA-BC , BC- MSLcert™ , MSL-BC , CPPS , CPHQ , CPXP , CVAHP , FACDONA , FAAPM , FNAP , FSHEA , FIDSA , FACHE
Implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Across the Continuum of Care
Recently , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) released a new and concerning report on the state of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and antibiotic stewardship within the United States . The findings in this report should alarm all healthcare professionals and leaders , particularly as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on existing antibiotic stewarship progress :
In a 2021 analysis , CDC also reported that , after years of steady reductions in healthcare-associated
Resistant hospital-onset infections
and deaths both increased at least 15 % during the first year of the pandemic .
infections ( HAIs ), U . S . hospitals saw significantly higher rates for four out of six types of HAIs in 2020 .
Many of these HAIs are resistant to antibiotics or antifungals .
As you can see , the progress that was being made prior to the pandemic has largely been subjected to major declines as a result of the scattered focus and now staffing challenged being faced across the entire healthcare industry . These declines in progress have now put the class of medicaitons of antibiotics at severe risk and subsequently patients are in harm ’ s way , particularly with serious multidrug-resistant pathogens .
The patient is an important part of the the antibiotic stewardship program . Key messaging to patients must be incorproated in any program in order to achieve success . Patient messaging can focus on the following core measures :
ANTIBIOTICS CAN SAVE LIVES . When a patient needs antibiotics , the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects and antibiotic resistance .
ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT TREAT VIRUSES , like those that cause colds , flu , or COVID-19 . Other medications , like antivirals , can treat viruses .
ANTIBIOTICS ARE ONLY NEEDED FOR TREATING CERTAIN INFECTIONS CAUSED BY BACTERIA , BUT EVEN SOME BACTERIAL INFECTIONS GET BETTER WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS . Antibiotics aren ’ t needed for many sinus infections and some ear infections .
AN ANTIBIOTIC WILL NOT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER IF YOU HAVE A VIRUS . Respiratory viruses usually go away in a week or two without treatment . Ask your healthcare professional about the best way to feel better while your body fights off the virus .
WHEN ANTIBIOTICS AREN ’ T NEEDED , THEY WON ’ T HELP YOU , AND THE SIDE EFFECTS COULD STILL CAUSE HARM . Side effects range from minor to very severe health problems . When you need antibiotics for a bacterial infection , the benefits usually outweigh the risk of side effects .
TAKING ANTIBIOTICS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE . Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them . If antibiotics and antifungals lose their effectiveness , then we lose the ability to treat infections , like those that lead to sepsis .
IF YOU NEED ANTIBIOTICS , TAKE THEM EXACTLY AS PRE- SCRIBED . Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics .
TALK WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL IF YOU DEVELOP ANY SIDE EFFECTS , especially severe diarrhea , since that could be a Clostridioides difficile ( difficile or C . diff ) infection , which needs to be treated immediately .
DO YOUR BEST TO STAY HEALTHY AND KEEP OTHERS
HEALTHY by cleaning hands by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 % alcohol ; covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze ; staying home when sick ; and getting recommended vaccines , such as the flu vaccine .
ANTIBIOTICS AREN ’ T ALWAYS THE ANSWER . Everyone can help improve antibiotic use . Improving the way we take antibiotics helps keep us healthy now , helps fight antimicrobial resistance , and ensures that these life-saving antibiotics will be available for future generations .