Redesigned website, new toolkit for hospital professionals and a social media call to action: we are getting ready to celebrate the 10th European Antibiotic Awareness Day!
Materials for professionals in hospitals and other healthcare settings, such as long-term care facilities, who have different roles and influence in the use of antibiotics in such settings.
Microbiologists can ensure that laboratory testing and antimicrobial susceptibility reporting follow treatment guidelines (including selective reporting), and include relevant comments on interpretation if needed.
Professionals in emergency departments should only start antibiotic treatment if there is evidence of a bacterial infection, avoid unnecessary antibiotic prophylaxis, ensure that cultures are taken before starting antibiotics
ICU physicians and managers should avoid unnecessary antibiotic prophylaxis, ensure that cultures are appropriately taken, before starting antibiotics, implement guidance for infection prevention and control measures
Clinicians can implement infection prevention and control measures together with infection prevention and control professionals, always perform a clinical examination of the patient before prescribing an antibiotic, avoid unnecessary antibiotic prophylaxis
Using antibiotic guidance and attending educational rounds improve antibiotic prescribing. Documenting indication, drug choice, dose, route of administration and duration of treatment in the patient chart leads to better use of antibiotics.