ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP

Question 1

What is antimicrobial stewardship?

Answer 1

• Prevents abx resistance
• Less uncessary treatment
• More caution
• Higher risk of resistance with broad spectrum abx
  o Therefore test for what type of infection it is and give a narrow spectrum

Question 2

Prescribing Abx and clinical evidence

Answer 2

• Do not start antibiotics without clinical evidence of bacterial infection.
• If there is evidence or suspicion of bacterial infection, use local guidelines to start prompt, effective antibiotic treatment.

Question 3

Prescribing Abx and obtaining cultures

Answer 3

o knowing the susceptibility of an infecting organism can lead to narrowing of broad-spectrum therapy,
o changing therapy to treat resistant pathogens effectively, and stopping abx when cultures suggest an infection is unlikely.

Question 4

Avoiding broad spectrum Abx

Answer 4

• Avoid broad spectrum if narrow-spectrum antibiotics remain effective,
• Increased risk of Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections.

Question 5

Widepread use of topical Abx

Answer 5

• Avoid widespread use of topical antibiotics (especially those that are also available as systemic preparations, such as fusidic acid).