Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to public health worldwide. Misuse of antibiotics is accelerating the process of antibiotic resistance. A growing number of serious infections (such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and salmonellosis) are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective. Antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality. For example, each year in the United States, at least 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and at least 23,000 people die as a result.

The goal of antibiotic stewardship is to cure patient infections while at the same time minimizing the risks of antibiotic resistance and adverse side effects from antibiotics. An antibiotic stewardship strategy includes reducing the spread of bacteria in health care settings, educating patients on antibiotic use, and following clinical guidelines on whether to prescribe antibiotics and on prescribing the right antibiotic at the right dose for the right duration.

VisualDx is committed to supporting healthcare professionals in this important effort.

CDC Antibiotic Prescribing and Use – For Patients

Information for patients from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on common illnesses, when antibiotics are and aren’t needed, and symptom relief when antibiotics won’t treat an illness.

CDC Pediatric Treatment Recommendations

The most recent principles of appropriate antibiotic prescribing for children in an outpatient setting for acute rhinosinusitis, acute otitis media, bronchiolitis, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection.

CDC Adult Treatment Recommendations

The most recent principles of appropriate antibiotic prescribing for adults in an outpatient setting for acute rhinosinusitis, acute uncomplicated bronchitis, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and acute uncomplicated cystitis.

ISDA Practice Guidelines

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines to assist practitioners and patients in health care decisions, including diagnostic testing and antimicrobial treatment as well as disease prevention. View an alphabetical list of guidelines, or filter guidelines by organ system, infectious organism, and more.

CDC Antibiotic Awareness Toolkit

A central location for health care professional resources and patient education resources. Find handouts and posters in multiple languages for display and distribution. Materials span multiple health care settings: doctor’s offices, hospitals, dentist’s offices, nursing homes, pharmacies, and resource-limited environments. Additional resources include a web-based training activity.

CDC Antibiotic Prescribing and Use in the United States

The latest antibiotic stewardship data, programs, and resources for improving antibiotic use. Highlights include a focus on unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics, antibiotic selection in children, and antibiotic-related adverse drug events data.

World Health Organization (WHO) Fact Sheet on Antibiotic Resistance

Overview on antibiotic resistance and global health, food security, and development, with quizzes, news, infographics, and fact sheets.