Tips & Resources for U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week 2024

November 18-24 is U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW), an annual observation to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining proper antibiotic and antifungal use and the threat antimicrobial resistance can pose to all.?

Antibiotic resistance is among the most urgent threats to public health, as it connects the health of individuals, animals and the environment. According to the CDC, at least 2.8 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant germs annually.

Antibiotic Resistance Facts:

• Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs defeat the drugs designed to kill them. However, this does not mean the body is resistant to antibiotics.
• Antibiotic resistance can affect people at any stage of life. Infections caused by resistant germs are difficult—sometimes impossible—to treat. In many cases, these infections require extended hospital stays, additional follow-up doctor visits, and the use of treatments that may be costly and potentially toxic to the patient.
• Healthy habits can protect individuals from infections and help stop germs from spreading.
• Antibiotics save human and animal lives. However, any time they are used, they can lead to side effects and resistance. Antibiotics do not work on viruses, such as colds and the flu.
• Antibiotic resistance has been found in all regions of the world. Modern trade and travel mean it can move easily across borders. It can spread to hospitals, farms, the community, and the environment. (Source)

Antibiotic Use and Long-Term Care

In long-term care settings, antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in nursing homes, with up to 70% of residents receiving one or more courses of systemic antibiotics when followed over a year. Studies have shown that 40–75% of antibiotics prescribed in nursing homes may be unnecessary or inappropriate, and numerous potential harms can develop from antibiotic prescribing in long-term care, including:

• Anaphylaxis (e.g., penicillin)
• C. difficile
• Oral and vaginal superinfection (due to disruption of normal flora)
• Adverse drug reactions (e.g., Levofloxacin and tendon rupture)
• Increased healthcare expenditures
• Resident and family suffering
• Microbiome changes

Antibiotic Stewardship: Fighting Antibiotic Resistance & Enhancing Care Outcomes

Antibiotic stewardship is an ongoing effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. It is an essential process in healthcare to protect patients from harm caused by unnecessary antibiotic use and combat antibiotic resistance. In all, it looks to optimize the treatment of infections while reducing the possible harms that can develop from antibiotic use.?

At the facility level, antibiotic stewardship programs provide facilities and team members with tools to improve inpatient and outpatient outcomes by ensuring prescribed drugs effectively treat the infection, reduce antibiotic resistance, and prevent the harm caused to patients by using unnecessary antibiotics.

Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has guidelines to support a facility's implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP). This tool should be implemented step-wise, starting with one or two strategies and gradually implementing new strategies from each element.?

Below is an overview of the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes. For in-depth information, click here to access the document.

• Leadership commitment – Demonstrate support and commitment to safe and appropriate antibiotic use in your facility.
• Accountability – Identify the physician, nursing and pharmacy leads responsible for promoting and overseeing antibiotic stewardship activities in your facility.
• Drug expertise – Establish access to consultant pharmacists or other individuals with experience or training in antibiotic stewardship for your facility.
• Action – Implement at least one policy or practice to improve antibiotic use.
• Tracking – Monitor at least one process measure of antibiotic use and at least one outcome from antibiotic use in your facility.
• Reporting – Provide regular feedback on antibiotic use and resistance to prescribing clinicians, nursing staff and other relevant staff.
• Education – Provide resources to clinicians, nursing staff, residents and families about antibiotic resistance and opportunities for improving antibiotic use.

Updating Current Policies & Practices

Beyond following the Core Elements guidance, facilities can implement or update their current prescribing policies and practices to improve antibiotic use. Within the facility-pharmacy relationship, facilities can integrate the dispensing and consultant pharmacists into the clinical care team as key partners in supporting antibiotic stewardship in their nursing homes.

Pharmacists can help ensure antibiotics are ordered appropriately, review culture data, and develop antibiotic monitoring and infection management guidance in collaboration with nursing and clinical leaders.

MAC Rx Can Support Your Facility’s Antibiotic Stewardship Efforts

At MAC RX, our pharmacy consulting and nursing services support your facility’s medication management practices with insightful knowledge and outstanding customer service.

From site visits to medication management and survey preparation, the MAC Rx nursing team is constantly in contact with you. Our team maintains the most updated knowledge about state regulations in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, and our nurse consultants can offer tips on medication storage, conduct periodic medication audits, and more.

Our team works directly with your team to troubleshoot problem areas and develop solutions that streamline your team’s efficiencies and enhance the care of your residents. Weekly written reports are shared with your director of nursing and administrative team to document the newest procedural safeguards.

The MAC Rx team is an extension of your nursing staff, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your residents and facility. Contact our experts today to learn more about our services.

?Resources & References:

• CDC – U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW)
• CDC – The Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes
• CDC – Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship
• CDC – Antimicrobial Resistance (Find additional resources, print materials and fact sheets within this link)
• CDC – Antibiotic Resistance: 5 Things To Know
• IDPH – Antimicrobial Stewardship in Long-Term Care
• Indiana Department of Health – Long-term Care Antibiotic Stewardship? Toolkit