RDHS Celebrates Global Antibiotic Awareness Week (16-22 November 2015)

To help the awareness of Antibiotic Resistance in Australia, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) developed a quiz that RDHS staff have been encouraged to complete.

Below also is a short movie that the ACSQHC has released explaining Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia

The Miracle of Antibiotics

The discovery of penicillin in 1900’s revolutionised the treatment of Infectious diseases.

The impact of antibiotics has increased life expectancy due the ability to prevent and treat infections.

Antibiotic week is a global event involving key organisations collaborating to spread knowledge about antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health today. It can affect anyone of any age, in any country.

Addressing antibiotic resistance is everybody’s business.

Antibiotics are losing their power as the bacteria develop resistance against them. We can preserve the miracle of antibiotics by changing some of the ways in which we use them ensuring they are only used when they are needed.

A growing number of infections, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used become less effective.

Antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality (death).

What is inappropriate use?

• Not prescribing correct dose
• Not taking the medications as ordered
• You feel better so you stop taking the medication
• Omitting doses
• Using someone else’s antibiotics

Future

There has only been 3 new classes of antibiotics produced in the last 20 years.  Antibiotics are a precious resource and therefore should be preserved and used with care.