MRSA, VRE, ESBL and CRE. What do these acronyms have in common? These are microorganisms that over time have developed resistance to different types or classes of antibiotics. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming, antibiotics were used to save millions of lives and gave way for much advancement in healthcare such as organ transplant, surgery and chemotherapy. These are the positive outcomes of antibiotic use. The problem is that antibiotics are often overused and misused such as for treating a common cold or the flu, consequently contributing to antibiotic resistance.
A Global Mobilization
In recent years an international movement mobilizing antibiotic awareness has taken on. November 18-24 is Antibiotic Awareness Week. The focus is to increase awareness about antibiotic resistance and to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics in healthcare. Among the top 10 threats to global health in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies antibiotic resistance as one of those. Although MRSA and VRE have long been part of our battle with microbial resistance, we are more recently facing new challenges to fight the war. We have already seen the emergence of extensively and pan drug-resistant bacteria such as tuberculosis, gonorrhea, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Other bacteria are also becoming pan drug-resistant leaving clinicians with restricted choices for treatment. We are now confronting the potential risk of going back to the pre-penicillin era where even a minor infection can become deadly.
WHO developed an action plan to deal with antibiotic resistance. The plan includes increasing awareness and knowledge, reducing infection, and encouraging prudent use of antibiotics. Infection prevention and control (IPAC) professionals can contribute in raising awareness and knowledge about antibiotic resistance and play a key role in reducing infection. Good infection prevention measures are essential to control the spread of resistant microorganisms. When infections are prevented this reduces the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
How we can help
Hygie Canada can help you in promoting good infection prevention measures that can control the spread of infections by providing simple and effective solutions for containing and managing body fluids. The simple strategy of using source control measures to prevent environmental contamination can go a long way. Restricting body fluids at the point of care is one source control approach that can keep infections at bay and so reducing the use of antibiotics. It’s worth investing in finding successful ways to safeguard the effective use of antibiotics.
Together, let's protect life
Let’s prevent and control HAI with Smart Body Fluid Managements Solutions.
