The emergence of bacterial strains that are resistant to antimicrobial agents is a growing concern for clinicians. There is substantial evidence that antibiotic resistance is driven by the widespread use of antibiotics and, for an individual patient, that taking an antibiotic increases their risk of miscarriage or infection with a resistant strain. While the benefit of antibiotic therapy is unquestioned for most bacterial infections, there are many situations where antibiotics could be used more judiciously. Judicious use of antibiotics is consistent with quality medical care, and the intention behind these materials is to help promote that goal.

Recognizing the need for a consistent approach to this growing problem, both in public education and in clinical practice, Clark County formed an Antimicrobial Resistance Task Force that is made up of health plans, hospitals, Southern Nevada Health District, Washoe County Health Department, Nevada State Health Division, and other agencies whose goal is to reduce the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Nevada. This initiative is now statewide and is called Nevadans for Antibiotic Awareness (NAA).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a national campaign to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. One key component of this campaign is to provide materials to help clinicians effectively communicate these messages.

Although many of the messages and materials focus on the pediatric setting, the principles of judicious antibiotic use, as well as most of the specific messages, are relevant for adult patients also. One concept that we feel is important to promote is active management of viral respiratory infections. Through a combination of patient education and use of symptomatic therapy, patient needs and expectations can be satisfied without an antibiotic prescription.

For more information on antimicrobial resistance visit the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov/antibioticresistance.

To learn more about home care for patients with antibiotic resistant germs visit our Infection Control for Antibiotic-Resistant Diseases web page.

Additional Resources and Links

• Guidelines Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities
  PDF (95 KB/1 pages)
• Practice Guidance for Judicious Use of Antibiotics PDF (130 KB/2 pages)
• National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)
• National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System - 1999 Annual Report PDF (847 KB/127 pages)
• AAP/AAFP Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Otitis Media (external PDF)