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ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP AWARENESS

Updated: Aug 15, 2024




WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL?

‘Antimicrobials’ or ‘Antimicrobial agents’ are medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of germs and are used in treating infectious diseases. These includes: 

  • Antibiotics

  • Antivirals

  • Antifungals

  • Antiparasitic

  • Disinfectants.

 

WHAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the dangerous ability of infectious disease agents to survive and endure attacks by antimicrobials. The antibiotic medicine to which they were previously sensitive becomes less and less effective causing persistence and the worsening of infectious diseases.

 

HOW DOES AMR DEVELOP?

Every infection starts with a germ — bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that may be transmitted through:

  • Inhalation

  • Ingestion

  • Person-to-Person

  • Contact 

  • Animal; including insects


Antimicrobials may not always be necessary in the management of an infection.


HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES FROM BEING INFECTED?

  • Practice regular hand washing and proper hygiene.

  • Have yourself and your family vaccinated with vaccines against commonpreventable infections.

  • Adapt a healthy lifestyle to boost your immune system.

  • Clean your surroundings and environment.

  • Cook your food thoroughly.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE AN INFECTION?

  • Consult with your doctor early.

  • Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

  • Get plenty of rest and avoid unnecessary contact with other people.

  • Eat nutritious foods.


HOW DO I USE ANTIBIOTICS CORRECTLY?

  • Use antibiotics only when prescribed.

  • Take the correct dose of antibiotics at the prescribed time.

  • Take the antibiotic as directed by the physician.

  • Always finish your prescribed treatment regimen.

  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics.


MISUSE / ABUSE OF ANTIMICROBIALS:

  • Use in untreatable (viral) infection

  • Use during a fever of unknown origin

  • Inappropriate antibiotic combination

  • Inappropriate choice of antibiotic dosage, route, intervals, and duration of administration.

  • Lack of anti-bacteriology information.

  • Over-the-counter sale of antibiotics.

  • Recycling antibiotics prescription and/or self-medication.

  • Use of antimicrobials as growth promoters in farm animals, agriculture, and aquaculture.

 

 

UNWANTED CONSEQUENCES OF MISUSE / INAPPROPRIATE USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS:

  • Adverse Drug Reactions

  • Increased in cost of therapy.

  • Increased length of hospital stays.

  • Emergence of drug-resistant organisms.

  • Predisposition to secondary infections, complications, and even death.

 

“Improper and inappropriate intake of antimicrobials is dangerous and can lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)



By: ZPMC Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee

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