APIC Offers Antibiotic Resistance Information for Consumers

In light of President Obama’s new Executive Order and National Strategy for Combatting Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released an informational poster for consumers on the ABC’s of antibiotics.

This infographic illustrates when antibiotics work and when they don't, explains what can happen if antibiotics are used improperly, and instructs consumers on the roles they play in preventing the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The opposite side of the infographic includes a fact sheet on antibiotic resistance, highlighting the top five questions consumers should ask their healthcare professionals about antibiotics:
1. “Do I really need an antibiotic?”
2. “Can I get better without an antibiotic?”
3. “What side effects or drug interactions can I expect?”
4. “What side effects should I report to you?”
5. “How do you know what kind of infection I have? I understand that antibiotics won’t work for viral infections.”

APIC is encouraging providers to place this infographic in patient care areas in healthcare facilities across the country. Because antibiotic resistance is a primary concern and is responsible for 23,000 deaths per year in the U.S., it is the theme of International Infection Prevention Week, October 19-25, 2014. APIC will be releasing additional resources and hosting a complimentary webinar on Oct. 21, 2014 focusing on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship programs that help clinicians improve prescribing practices. The webinar presenters will be Ramanan Laxminarayan, PhD, director of the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, and Arjun Srinivasan, MD, associate director for Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Programs for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Download the infographic and other patient education materials from APIC’s Infection Prevention and You website: www.apic.org/infectionpreventionandyou.

Source: APIC