Antibiotic resistance and development of antibiotic stewardship programs are ongoing issues for healthcare providers. The annual "Get Smart about Antibiotics Week" developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners highlights events, educational resources, and a spotlight for organizations to coordinate strategies around stewardship programs and the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
Press Release from SHEA:
"Antimicrobial resistance is a complex global issue that impacts the practice of medicine today,” said Anthony Harris, MD, MPH, president, SHEA Board of Trustees. “The United States has identified a set of proven strategies and recommendations to address antibiotic resistance. The key to success lies in implementation. We need adequate resources, strong governmental coordination, support of research and development, and external stakeholder involvement to make headway in the fight to preserve life-saving antibiotics."
"All healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes and antibiotic resistance trends by focusing on efforts to eliminate unnecessary antibiotic therapies and raising the patients' understanding of this issue,” said Sara Cosgrove, MD, MS, chair of SHEA's Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee.“Implementing comprehensive programs to help providers optimize antibiotic use across healthcare settings is of great importance. At the same time, we must educate and engage patients in understanding when antibiotics are needed and when they are not.”
Get more information on Get Smart Week from the CDC
