Submitted by kmcochran on
According to the CDC, each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. Many more people die from other conditions that are complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection. Get Smart About Antibiotics Week is an annual one-week observance sponsored and promoted by the CDC to raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. PQCNC’s initiative on Antibiotic Stewardship/Neonatal Sepsis directly supports the CDC’s efforts to decrease antibiotic use and to hamper the growth of antibiotic resistance.
There are many resources available on the CDC website for use in hospitals to promote education surrounding appropriate use of antibiotics both for hospital staff and for patients. Additionally, there are examples of antibiotic stewardship programs currently implemented in hospitals and universities around the country.
Utilizing a multidisciplinary team and working collaboratively, we will be able to target antibiotic use more effectively and greatly decrease the growth in antibiotic resistant organisms.