Lecture 10.1: Antibiotic Stewardship

Question 1

What is a Steward Volunteer?

Answer 1

• Personnel that help people move easily & safely though health, NHS & care
sites
• This could include flu clinics, GP surgeries and pharmacies

Question 2

What are the Goals of Stewardship? (3)

Answer 2

1) Health care practitioners to help each patient receive the most appropriate
antimicrobial with the correct dose and duration
2) Prevent antimicrobial overuse, misuse, and abuse
3) Minimize the development of resistance (both at individual patient and
community level)

Question 3

Principles of Treatment when prescribing Antibiotics (8)

Answer 3

• Prescribe antibiotic when required
• If systemically unwell with symptoms and signs of serious disease give Abx -
  always think Sepsis
• Use simple generic Abx
• Avoid broad spectrum
• Seek microbiology advice
• Check guidance
• Limit over the phone prescribing
• Government guidance updated Feb 2019

Question 4

What is Safety Netting Advice?

Answer 4

Information shared with a patient or their carer designed to help them identify the need to seek further medical help if their condition fails to improve, changes, or if they have concerns about their health

Question 5

What should be included when giving Safety Netting Advice? (4)

Answer 5

• How long symptoms are likely to last with and without antimicrobials
• What to do if symptoms get worse
• What to do if they experience adverse effects from the treatment
• When they should ask again for medical advice

Question 6

What Abx to reduce use of to reduce C.difficle in community?

Answer 6

Ciprofloxacin
Cephalosporins
Co-amoxiclav

Question 7

What are the ONLY times Co-amoxiclav should be used?

Answer 7

• Pyelonephritis in pregnancy
• Facial cellulitis
• Prophylaxis post dog/human bite
• Diverticulitis