Patients play a big role in the misuse of antibiotic to contribute to antibiotic resistance; however, prescribing physicians also have the responsibility to minimize the risks of resistance. Physicians prescribe countless amounts of medications everyday for the benefit of their patients, but other health experts such as WHO (World Health Organization) recommend several important tips to prescribers. Here is a list of some recommendations:
- Do not prescribe antibiotics unless they are truly necessary (ex. cultures)
- Ensure that every effort has been made to confirm the suitability of the prescribed antibiotic
- Consider prescribing delayed prescriptions of antibiotic in appropriate situations
- Explain to patients that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections and should be avoided
- Be sure to document the dose, duration, and indication of each antibiotic prescription
- Consider short courses of antibiotics as long as they are effective
- Consider stepping-down from IV to oral antibiotics to hasten discharge when all the signs of stepping-down is warranted
- Be alert and aware of the antibiotic resistance pattern around the area
- Use Colistin very carefully, as it is one of the last lines of antibiotics
- Follow hand and equipment hygiene to minimize the spread of antibiotic resistance
With the collaboration of appropriate physician prescribing and proper patient usage of antibiotics, the risk of antibiotic resistance can be reduced to a minimum.
References:
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Sprenger M. How to stop antibiotic resistance? Here's a WHO prescription [Internet]. World Health Organization. 2015 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/commentaries/stop-antibiotic-resistance/en/
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Llor CBjerrum L. Antimicrobial resistance: risk associated with antibiotic overuse and initiatives to reduce the problem. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 2014;5(6):229-241.
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CDC Features - Mission Critical: Preventing Antibiotic Resistance [Internet]. Cdc.gov. 2014 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/features/antibioticresistance/
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Barlett J, Spellberg B, Gilbert D. 8 Ways to Deal With Antibiotic Resistance [Internet]. medscape.com. 2013 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/808814
Picture: Topical Prescription Acne Medication [Internet]. 2014 [cited 15 November 2016]. Available from: http://www.solution4acne.com/topical-prescription-acne-medication.html
Antibiotic Resistance 