A Study On Antibiotic Resistance

It is thought that overuse of antibiotics is related to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (Austin). As a consequence, there has been an increasing trend to promote appropriate prescribing of antibiotics so as to maximise their therapeutic efficacy and minimise the outbreak of resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs in hospitals are exemplary of a method used to promote rational prescription of antibiotics. In this review, we will briefly introduce some examples of AMR to illustrate the extent of this issue. We will then move on to describe AMS programs and the strategies required to

Throughout my life, adults have insisted the use of antibiotics to fight against the most inconsequential illnesses, whether it’s the cold or the flu. However, neither illness is due to invasion of bacteria. This misuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, also known as antimicrobial resistance(AMR), currently one of the central issues facing the public health system. While the process for antibiotic resistance occurs naturally through the process of adaptation, the mismanagement of antibiotic resources has accelerated the rate at which the bacteria adapt. The occurrence of this misinformation isn’t limited to a few adults: even some of my peers suggest taking antibiotics when faced with the flu. This leads to asking whether AMR is truly a problem and are present regulations enough to combat the issue.

The authors of the study are confident that their quality improvement approach can be successfully replicated in other family practice clinics. The methods used by the project could be easily implemented, the materials from the CDC’s Get Smart about Antibiotics are inexpensive and readily available. The article does suggest that their study may have a serious flaw, called the Hawthorne Effect. The Hawthorne Effect or an observer effect acknowledges that both physicians and patients were fully aware they were participating in a quality improvement project. The project would have been more efficient if the participants were unaware they were being evaluated. When individuals believe they are not being observed the results tend to be more trustworthy. Ultimately, the project proved its hypothesis and educated individuals about the risks of overusing antibiotics. Eventually, patients and physicians will learn to be cautious, and let viral infections run their natural

Antibiotic resistance is becoming a more prevalent issue. This is a growing dilemma because, not only do patients have the potential to develop resistance, but they also can transmit the resistant bacteria to others (McKellar, 2014). Additionally, it is estimated that over one-third of all antibiotics prescribed to patients are unnecessary (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Overutilization of antibiotics is a growing problem due to some patients’ inappropriate demands for antibiotics or misdiagnoses by prescribers, however, underutilization of antibiotics can be just as problematic. Physicians are trained to use good antimicrobial stewardship when prescribing antibiotics; only giving them to patients who truly do have a bacterial infection. This becomes an issue when providers are too cautious and do not prescribe antibiotics in an attempt not to contribute to antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately, this caution could have a detrimental effect on the health of patients who actually need the antibiotics. To combat this issue, we must find a balance between good antimicrobial stewardship to minimize resistance while also taking underutilization into consideration. We, as pharmacists, are at a unique position between the physician and

Antibiotics-resistant organisms have become one of the most serious threats to public health, infecting over two million people and killing approximately 23,000 people annually.1 According to the CDC, “total inappropriate antibiotic use,” such as prescribing unnecessary antibiotics or giving the wrong dose or duration, makes up to 50% of all outpatient antibiotic use,2,3 and in 2009, the United States spent $10.7 billion on antibiotics, indicating that there is a lot of potential money to save.4

With all of our modern advances, it seems somewhat strange that chronic health problems have become so commonplace. When antibiotics were discovered, they predicted the end of disease. Instead, we now have a world full of frightening antibiotic resistant infections.

The development and advancement of antibiotic resistance is dependent on a number of factors, and cannot be resolved with one single solution. Research suggests the best strategy to manage the misuse of antibiotics leading to antibiotic resistance, is mandating all hospitals to implement an antimicrobial stewardship program. This solution meets all of the required criteria and is a sensible approach in resolving the growing rate of resistant. Making antimicrobial stewardships a part of the patient safety effort will help bring new support and spark the conversation that must take place in order to make advancement in resolving antibiotic resistance. Multiple studies have been conducted to evaluate the before and after introduction of ASPs and

The increase in infection-related health activity is the result of a gradual increase in specific risk factors such as antibiotic pressure and the greater complexity of patients’ conditions. Despite their strong impact, both socially and economically, the surveillance systems and programs currently deployed for the prevention of nosocomial infections are quite dishomogeneous and, in many situations, do not exist at all.

Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI) have become popular in hospitals across the nation. These infections not only aggravate a patient’s condition, but also extend the amount of time spent in the hospital. Equally important is the resistance that these microbes are developing against antibiotics making them more difficult to treat. Hand hygiene has been known to be the single most important factor in preventing the spread of HAI’s among hospitalized patients (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). Although hand washing is a simple task, healthcare providers still fail to comply with this requirement leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Chau, Thompson, Twinn, Lee, & Pang, 2011). Additionally, the increase

New Haven Health (Yale). (n.d.).Healthcare Associated Infections and the Prevention and Control of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO). Retrieved from http://www.ynhh.org/vSiteManager/Upload/Images/Professionals/MDRO.pdf

Inappropriate use of antibiotics plays a significant part in developing of drug-resistant HAI. Use antibiotics for viral infections; over prescriptions; prescription following “better be safe, then sorry ” rule; fear of health care providers (HCP) being sued, if no medication was prescribed; reimbursement to the acute care facilities for drug cost and expenses for MDRO treatment by insurance companies, all these factors provide no incentive to minimize use of antibiotics.(5)

The issue of anti-microbial resistance can be reduced just by coordinated endeavors of all individuals from society for guaranteeing the effectiveness of antibiotics. If everyone is educated and stop using prescription antibiotics for common cold, headache, or other viruses lessen people who misuses such antibiotics. Also, hospitals should be cautious in prescribing antibiotics if unnecessary. For instance, at Kaiser Hospital where I take my children, doctors advise that common cold or flu viruses cannot be cured by antibiotics unless it is bacterial

Continue what I have learned about implementing the use of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), through selecting the right antimicrobial, dose, frequency and duration; to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance, toxicity and cost. This objective will be measured through reviewing the optimal choice of the antimicrobial regiment during clinical rounds, everyday discussion with my preceptor and developing care plans during the one month rotation.

Dr. H. Scott Hurd author of, “The Other Side of Antimicrobial Resistance” is writing to contradict thought that antibiotic-resistance is becoming a complete global threat. (2012) the article gives several counter claims that lead you in a different mindset than simply healthcare precautions. The author talks about foodborne illness being linked to antibiotics resistance in modern medicine, also about the important knowledge that can be taken away from antibiotics when researching HIV/AIDS, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), and hospital-acquired infections through research and development. The author is showing the readers that there is another side, such as, not needing to be concerned about resistance to any antibiotics because scientist and others have an understanding of certain guidelines when it comes to the patients’ health. Therefore, each excuse people are giving to support the claim antibiotic-resistance is a threat to people. He states in his writing, “As soon as an antibiotic is first used, resistance begins to develop.” He is wanting to imply in his message that even though over-prescribing is a big factor, even as simple as the first time an antibiotic is prescribed it is having effects on the patient. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, in “Antibiotics: Misuse puts you and others at risk” infers the overuse or misuse of antibacterial drugs can make resistance develop even faster, causing an epidemic before scientist can find a solution.

Infection control is becoming a major issue and concern for the health sector all over the world especially with the increasing and alarming antibiotic resistant infections. (DH, 2003) In the health care sector in New Zealand and other developed countries, healthcare associated infection is one of the most common adverse events, four to ten percentage of patients acquire one or more infections during their time in the hospital . (HQSC, 2015) It is known that infection has increased significantly hospital cost and lengthening hospitalisation stay, in addition, 25,000 patient death has been associated with infection . (Borton & Mcleane , 2000) However, despite the ominous number, the situation can be improved through simple measure with strict implementation to prevent the chain of infection from being completed. The World Health Organizationhas identified the Infection Control Program to hold a unique and vital position in the field of patient health, safety and quality as it