World antibiotic awareness week is observed each November to increase global awareness about antibiotic resistance and unnecessary use of antibiotics among physicians, public and policymakers. This year the launch day is November 12 and various campaign and activities are planned globally to make the healthcare professionals and consumers aware of antimicrobial resistance (AMR.)
AMR is an ever-rising menace and an urgent threat to public health. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause nearly one in five infections in developed countries. At least, 23,000 people die as a result of antibiotic resistance and nearly 2 million people get infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the US alone.
If nothing is done, it is estimated that by 2050, more people will die because of bacterial infections that are resistant to available antibiotics as compared to cancer deaths. Besides promoting research and stricter prescribing laws, encouraging positive behavioral change to reduce the misuse of antibiotics remains one of the priorities in mitigating the spread of antibiotic resistance bacteria.
WHO has gathered information from 65 countries to track and document the consumption pattern of antibiotics around the world. The report notes that amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid – first or second-line treatments for common infections – are the most frequently used antibiotics worldwide.
Here are some of the key CDC messages for healthcare professionals to bring down the development of antibiotic resistance:
Always follow the clinical guidelines and remember the three “rights” for the antibiotic prescription–right antibiotic in the right dose for the right duration.
Shorten the antibiotic therapy to minimum effective duration to maximize the patient benefits and minimizing the side effects and development of resistance.
Protect your patient by only prescribing antibiotics when needed.
Educate your patients about the side effects and harms of antibiotic, their ineffectiveness in viral infection, what to do to feel better and when to contact your physician if they are not feeling good.
Make the patients and their caregiver aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis.
Practice hand-hygiene at the clinics and hospitals to reduce cross infections.
If the patient is admitted, review the antibiotic regimen 48 to 72 hours after it is started based on the patient’s/resident’s clinical condition and microbiology culture results, and stop or change antibiotic orders as needed—a critical step in care.
