At Grane Rx, we’re committed to providing the highest-quality LTC pharmacy services. As part of that commitment, we share an ongoing series of pharmacy updates from our Chief Clinical Officer, designed to keep you in the know on clinical topics related to long term care pharmacy and PACE pharmacy. Antibiotic resistance has become a growing threat to the healthcare industry. Antibiotic-resistant infections can lead to more toxic treatments, higher healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes. Approximately 30 to 50 percent of all inpatient antibiotic use is considered to be inappropriate or unnecessary. Each year throughout the United States of America, more than 2 million illnesses and at least 23,000 deaths occur due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In order to combat this growing problem, the CDC launched the Get Smart program, which focuses on common illnesses throughout America for which most of the antibiotic prescriptions are written. From November 14 to 20, the CDC will promote its annual antibiotic awareness week.
Long term Care Pharmacy Facts About Antibiotics
- Overuse of antibiotics can cause Clostridium difficile and possibly deadly diarrhea.
- Some bacterial infections are now completely resistant to all available antibiotics.
- Millions of antibiotic medications are prescribed each year for viral infections.
- Seventy percent of residents in a nursing home receive one or more courses of systemic antibiotics per year.
Antibiotic Use: What Could Go Wrong?
- Increased adverse drug events
- Drug interactions
- Colonization/infection with antibiotic-resistant bacteria
- Risk of serious diarrheal infections from Clostridium difficile
- Increased resistance to important antibiotic medications
Get Smart Goals
- Decrease antibiotic-resistant bacteria
- Improve infection control and prevention
- Improve antibiotic utilization throughout communities
- Improve resident’s quality of life
- Save lives
How Long Term Care Pharmacy and Other Providers Can Combat Antibiotic Resistance
- Set goals to decrease antibiotic use
- Collaborate and develop relationships with other healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.)
- Test for specific bacteria and reevaluate regimen after results
- Avoid treating viral infections with antibiotics
- Use patient and provider resources
- Educate and engage family members