Antibiotic Awareness Week

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 11/14/2023 15:07:08
• In: Quality/Regulatory

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) is an annual observance that raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
The upcoming USAAW, scheduled for November 18-24, aims to highlight the significance of responsible antibiotic and antifungal usage while addressing the looming threat of antimicrobial resistance.
To contribute to USAAW, long-term care can play their part by familiarizing themselves with the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. Consider these essential points:

• Avoid prescribing antibiotics when they are unnecessary, as this can potentially cause harm.
• In most cases, patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria should not receive antibiotic treatment.
• Antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections, not viral ones such as those responsible for COVID-19.
• Optimizing the use of diagnostic tests is crucial for improving treatment for conditions like sepsis and preventing infection transmission.
• Always ensure you prescribe the correct antibiotic, at the appropriate dose, for the right duration, and at the right time.
• Continuously reassess antibiotic therapy to either discontinue or adjust treatment based on the patient or resident's clinical condition and diagnostic test results, as deemed appropriate.
• Employ the shortest effective duration for antibiotic therapy as a vital strategy in antibiotic stewardship, particularly during care transitions. This presents a significant area for improvement.

For more information and ways to get involved, please consult the U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) toolkit.
 
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org