A unique type of antimicrobial stewardship program may help to fight against antibiotic (Antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial) resistance. The impact of the " handshake stewardship" strategy on the use of antibiotics in a freestanding Colorado children's hospital was studied.
The strategy was characterized by:
- A lack of the restriction and pre-authorization commonly found in antimicrobial stewardship programs
- A daily pharmacist-physician review of every inpatient antibiotic prescription, including dosages, type of medication and type of infection
- Daily rounding on inpatient floors by a pharmacist-physician team to monitor antibiotic usage and give advice in-person to every unit in the hospital that is using antibiotics
Drug Resistance - Antibiotic Resistance
Drug resistance is often a problem in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and hospital acquired diseases. Judicious use of antibiotics can control the problem.
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‘Handshake stewardship program in Colorado Children’s Hospital may be effective in decreasing the overall antibiotic use by 10.9%’
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Led by Sarah Parker, MD, pediatric infectious diseases physician and medical director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Children's Colorado, the research retrospectively measured antibiotic use hospitalwide and by unit before, during and after the implementation of the handshake stewardship program to determine the effectiveness of such an approach.
All antibiotics prescribed to inpatients between October 2010 and September 2014 were included in the review. The study found that handshake stewardship led to a 10.3 percent decrease in antibacterial use hospitalwide, a 12.1 percent decrease in antifungal use, and a 16.4 percent decrease in antiviral use, for an overall decrease in antimicrobial use of 10.9 percent hospitalwide. The study results were published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
![New Insights on Molecular Structure of Antibiotics to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance]( "New Insights on Molecular Structure of Antibiotics to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance")
The molecular structures of different versions of teixobactin were explored to develop drugs for tackling antimicrobial resistance, reveals study.
"Very few hospitals have a medical doctor involved in the day-to-day running of this kind of program," Dr. Parker says. "And very few programs review every single antibiotic prescription. However, the risks associated with antibiotics require that we find an effective way to limit their use. Not only do 30 percent of children who take antibiotics experience a side effect such as diarrhea, but antibiotics can also kill good bacteria in the body, which can lead to more serious illnesses down the line. And perhaps most compelling, according to the CDC, more than 23,000 deaths and $20 billion in indirect health care costs are attributed to resistant bacteria in the United States each year."
"This type of stewardship also helps ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics - that is, that they are only used when needed, and that they are given at the right dosage for the right duration of time," continues Parker. "Ultimately, this leads to better patient outcomes."
Source: Eurekalert
New Insights on Molecular Structure of Antibiotics to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance
The molecular structures of different versions of teixobactin were explored to develop drugs for tackling antimicrobial resistance, reveals study.
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"Very few hospitals have a medical doctor involved in the day-to-day running of this kind of program," Dr. Parker says. "And very few programs review every single antibiotic prescription. However, the risks associated with antibiotics require that we find an effective way to limit their use. Not only do 30 percent of children who take antibiotics experience a side effect such as diarrhea, but antibiotics can also kill good bacteria in the body, which can lead to more serious illnesses down the line. And perhaps most compelling, according to the CDC, more than 23,000 deaths and $20 billion in indirect health care costs are attributed to resistant bacteria in the United States each year."
"This type of stewardship also helps ensure the appropriate use of antibiotics - that is, that they are only used when needed, and that they are given at the right dosage for the right duration of time," continues Parker. "Ultimately, this leads to better patient outcomes."
Source: Eurekalert
Importance To Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance(AMR), a call for action was organized by Neeti Foundation.
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 Test your Knowledge on Antibiotic ResistanceAntibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern that has reached gigantic proportions. Antibiotic resistance is a change that occurs in bacteria when they are exposed to antibiotics used to treat infections caused by them. This change makes the antibiotics ineffective and the antibiotic-resistant bacteria become "superbugs". | Advertisement
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