Better Use of Antibiotics Needed Throughout Healthcare Settings

Everyone, from healthcare providers to patients, has a role to play in reducing antibiotic resistance. Specifically,  in order to halt the alarming trend of antibiotic resistance there is a need for well-documented and properly coordinated strategies like stewardship of antibiotics, expanded surveillance of antibiotic resistance bacteria, and investments in new drug development and diagnostic testing across all healthcare settings. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners in "Get Smart about Antibiotics Week" to raise awareness of strategies and programs to address antibiotic resistance with both healthcare providers and patients.

"All healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes by addressing antibiotic resistance trends through focused efforts to eliminate unnecessary antibiotic therapies,” said Louise Dembry, MD,MS, MBA, president of the SHEA board of trustees.  “We must also educate and engage patients in understanding when antibiotics are needed and when they are not.”

SHEA is committed to addressing antibiotic resistance by furthering education and leadership of stewardship programs for healthcare professionals.  Antibiotic stewardship programs and interventions help ensure that patients get the right antibiotics at the right time for the right duration. In addition to improving patient care, there is also cost savings potential.

Visit the SHEA website for more information on the appropriate use and management of antimicrobials in all healthcare settings to help improve patient care: www.shea-online.org