Search

Antibiotics are not the solution for infections caused by viruses such as common colds or flu.

Primary care accounts for about 80% to 90% of all antibiotic prescriptions

50% of all antibiotic use in hospitals can be inappropriate

Self-medication with antibiotics is not a responsible use of antibiotics

Key messages for professionals working at hospitals and other healthcare settings: managers/administrators, infectious disease specialists, infection prevention and control professionals, epidemiologists, prescribers, junior doctors and students, pharmacists, nurses, clinical microbiologists, and professionals in emergency departments, in intensive care units, and in long-term care facilities.

Up to a half of all antibiotic use in European hospitals is unnecessary or inappropriate. Promoting prudent antibiotic use is both a patient safety and a public health priority.

Antibiotic stewardship programmes, together with infection prevention and control practices, can increase patient safety and quality of care and reduce hospital costs across all services by improving how antibiotics are used, as well as by decreasing C. difficile infections and other adverse events

Infectious disease specialists can support the development and implementation of an antibiotic stewardship programme, promote local guidelines on managing infections, regularly train hospital prescribers on prudent antibiotic use and using antibiotics.

Your task is to ensure that the fundamental elements of the hospital infection prevention and control programme are carried out

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.