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Beacon HospitalSandyford, Dublin 18D18 AK68Tel: 01 293 6600www.beaconhospital.ieVersion 01.11.2024THIS IS MODERN MEDICINEANTIMICROBIALSTEWARDSHIP (AMS) KEEP ANTIBIOTICS SAFE
How this HappenedWhat Can We Do?What is Antimicrobial Resistance?Antibiotics, antifungals, antimalarials, andantiretrovirals (collectively termed antimicrobials)treat infections by killing bacteria, fungi, parasitesand viruses, but now we have an increasing numberof these microbes that are able to resist the effects ofthese antimicrobials. This is called AntimicrobialResistance. Infections caused by such microbes aretermed drug resistant infections. For many decades,antibiotics have cured life threatening infections. Butin recent years, incorrect use of antibiotics hascaused the development and spread of bacteria thatare resistant to antibiotics. When people getinfections that are caused by resistant bacteria,antibiotics are no longer effective in treating theinfection and the disease may take a longer time togo away or even become more serious. Allowingantibiotic resistance to develop is a serious publichealth threat because resistant bacteria may spreadin a community.We have to tackle this problem before it gets worse.Antibiotics being prescribed/taken unnecessarilyThere are many reasons why antibiotics lose theireffectiveness, but misuse is one of the keycontributors. Misuse of antibiotics can include any ofthe following: Antibiotics being delayed for the critically illBroad-spectrum antibiotics being usedunnecessarily or narrow-spectrum antibioticsbeing used incorrectlyDosage being higher or lower than appropriatefor the specific patient caseDuration of antibiotics being too long or shortAntibiotic use not being guided by microbiologicalculture data resultsAntibiotics are some of our most precious medicinesused to treat both humans and animals.The proper use of antimicrobials — often calledantimicrobial stewardship (AMS) — can help reducethe development of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship was first introduced inIreland in 2001 by the Strategy for Control ofAntimicrobial Resistance in Ireland (SARI). Bothhealthcare professionals and the public play animportant role in antibiotic stewardship. At BeaconHospital we have a dedicated AMS team to monitorantibiotic use and advise on the correct use ofantimicrobials. Improving antibiotic prescribing anduse allows us to effectively treat infections, protectpatients from harm caused by unnecessary antibioticuse, and combat antibiotic resistance.If you have any questions please reach out to one ofour AMS team.Ireland has one of thehighest antibiotic prescribingrates in Europe
How this HappenedWhat Can We Do?What is Antimicrobial Resistance?Antibiotics, antifungals, antimalarials, andantiretrovirals (collectively termed antimicrobials)treat infections by killing bacteria, fungi, parasitesand viruses, but now we have an increasing numberof these microbes that are able to resist the effects ofthese antimicrobials. This is called AntimicrobialResistance. Infections caused by such microbes aretermed drug resistant infections. For many decades,antibiotics have cured life threatening infections. Butin recent years, incorrect use of antibiotics hascaused the development and spread of bacteria thatare resistant to antibiotics. When people getinfections that are caused by resistant bacteria,antibiotics are no longer effective in treating theinfection and the disease may take a longer time togo away or even become more serious. Allowingantibiotic resistance to develop is a serious publichealth threat because resistant bacteria may spreadin a community.We have to tackle this problem before it gets worse.Antibiotics being prescribed/taken unnecessarilyThere are many reasons why antibiotics lose theireffectiveness, but misuse is one of the keycontributors. Misuse of antibiotics can include any ofthe following: Antibiotics being delayed for the critically illBroad-spectrum antibiotics being usedunnecessarily or narrow-spectrum antibioticsbeing used incorrectlyDosage being higher or lower than appropriatefor the specific patient caseDuration of antibiotics being too long or shortAntibiotic use not being guided by microbiologicalculture data resultsAntibiotics are some of our most precious medicinesused to treat both humans and animals.The proper use of antimicrobials — often calledantimicrobial stewardship (AMS) — can help reducethe development of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship was first introduced inIreland in 2001 by the Strategy for Control ofAntimicrobial Resistance in Ireland (SARI). Bothhealthcare professionals and the public play animportant role in antibiotic stewardship. At BeaconHospital we have a dedicated AMS team to monitorantibiotic use and advise on the correct use ofantimicrobials. Improving antibiotic prescribing anduse allows us to effectively treat infections, protectpatients from harm caused by unnecessary antibioticuse, and combat antibiotic resistance.If you have any questions please reach out to one ofour AMS team.Ireland has one of thehighest antibiotic prescribingrates in Europe
Beacon HospitalSandyford, Dublin 18D18 AK68Tel: 01 293 6600www.beaconhospital.ieVersion 01.11.2024THIS IS MODERN MEDICINEANTIMICROBIALSTEWARDSHIP (AMS) KEEP ANTIBIOTICS SAFE