Search
Key messages for the general public
Antibiotics are not the solution for infections caused by viruses such as common colds or flu.
Key messages for primary care prescribers
Primary care accounts for about 80% to 90% of all antibiotic prescriptions
Key messages for the general public: Self-medication with antibiotics
Self-medication with antibiotics is not a responsible use of antibiotics
Key messages for professionals in hospitals and other healthcare settings
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.
General key messages for healthcare professionals in hospitals and other healthcare settings
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.
Key messages for hospital managers / administrators
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
Key messages for hospital infectious disease specialists
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.
Key messages for hospital infection prevention and control professionals and hospital epidemiologists
Your task is to ensure that the fundamental elements of the hospital infection prevention and control programme are carried out