Becoming Better Stewards of Antibiotics

May 03, 2016 - 06:53 AM

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pew Charitable Trusts released a study in JAMA and corresponding editorial that analyzed antibiotic use in the outpatient setting. The study found that in the U.S. in 2010-2011, there was an estimated annual antibiotic prescription rate per 1000 people of 506, but only an estimated 353 of those prescriptions were likely appropriate.

The study asserts these results support the need for the national strategy on improving antibiotic stewardship. And this is a concept we embrace.

Hospitals are reviewing the use of antibiotics so that they are used only when necessary to deter the development of new antibiotic resistance. According to a 2015 American Society of Health-System Pharmacist National Survey on antimicrobial stewardship programs, 65 percent of hospitals have implemented an antimicrobial stewardship program, up from 45 percent in 2010. While there is still a ways to go, this shows real progress.

Through the AHA’s Physician Leadership Forum, we issued a toolkit that looks at some of the proven, effective strategies that encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics including:

  • Creating a stewardship program or enhancing an existing one that has core elements, such as leadership commitment, accountability, expertise, tracking and monitoring and education; and
  • Educating patients about why an antibiotic may or may not be used in specific situations, prescribing them only when necessary.

For example, the toolkit includes CDC’s “Antibiotics Aren’t Always the Answer” fact sheet for patients, providing quick facts on antibiotic use. 

It will take all of us working together – physicians, hospitals and patients – to be better stewards of life-saving antibiotics.

Related News Articles

Perspective
Patient Safety Continues to Improve Across America
Public
If you had to describe a hospital’s mission, philosophy and guiding light with a single word, safety would sit at the top of the list.Providing a safe patient…
Headline
AHA report finds hospitals continue to improve performance on key patient safety measures, outcomes 
The AHA released a report Dec. 4 that found patient safety in hospitals and health systems across the nation continues to improve. The report, which uses data…
Headline
Webinar to provide strategies on protecting hospital leadership
The AHA will host a webinar Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. ET on strategies to better protect senior leaders in hospitals. Attendees will learn ways to reduce…
Headline
JAMA article shows patient safety measures surpass pre-pandemic levels 
A JAMA article co-authored by AHA Chief Physician Executive Chris DeRienzo, M.D., and leaders from Vizient highlights that hospitals and health systems have…
Headline
Infant formula recall expands as botulism outbreak cases grow
ByHeart has expanded its voluntary recall to include all Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and Anywhere Pack products amid an investigation by the Food and…
Headline
Blog shares insights from hospital leaders at AHA’s inaugural Rural Patient Safety Convening
Rural hospital leaders recently shared strategies and insights on improving safety culture, governance and care reliability at the AHA’s Rural Patient Safety…