Antibacterial Support - Strategies for Fighting Bacterial Infections

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What is an antibacterial drug?

Antibacterial drugs are derived from bacteria or molds or are synthesized de novo. Technically, “antibiotic” refers only to antimicrobials derived from bacteria or molds but is often (including in THE MANUAL) used synonymously with “antibacterial drug.” (See also Antibiotics in Neonates .)

What are antibiotics used for?

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some are highly specialised and are only effective against certain bacteria. Others, known as broad-spectrum antibiotics, attack a wide range of bacteria, including ones that are beneficial to us. There are two main ways in which antibiotics target bacteria.

What is antimicrobial stewardship?

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is defined as an ongoing effort by a health service organisation to optimise antimicrobial use among patients ‘to improve patient outcomes, ensure cost-effective therapy and reduce adverse sequelae of antimicrobial use (including antimicrobial resistance).

Are antibiotics useful in a bacterial infection?

Antibiotics are useful in this scenario. The first antibiotic was penicillin. Penicillin-based antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin G, are still available to treat a variety of infections and have been in use for many years.

What is the antimicrobial stewardship clinical care standard?

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard contains eight quality statements that describe the care that you should provide to patients with an infection, or at risk of an infection. Each quality statement is outlined below.

What is appropriate antimicrobial use?

Appropriate antimicrobial use happens when antimicrobials are prescribed according to evidence-based guidelines, with choice, dose and duration selected to optimise clinical outcomes and minimise adverse consequences.5 Prescribing guidelines are an essential requirement for AMS programs.

Are antimicrobial stewardship actions included in the preventing & controlling infections standard?

Please note that revised antimicrobial stewardship actions are included in the Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard, which was released in May 2021. This version of the Standard supersedes the 2017 Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard.

How can antimicrobial stewardship improve patient outcomes?

Timely review of antimicrobial prescriptions, ideally by an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) team comprising an infectious diseases (ID) physician and clinical pharmacist, is a useful strategy to optimise antimicrobial use. Point-of-care interventions, based on reviews or data, can improve patient management and patient outcomes.

What Is Antibacterial Support

1. https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/infectious-diseases/bacteria-and-antibacterial-drugs/overview-of-antibacterial-drugs
2. https://microbiologysociety.org/membership/membership-resources/outreach-resources/antibiotics-unearthed/antibiotics-and-antibiotic-resistance/what-are-antibiotics-and-how-do-they-work.html
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278
4. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/antibiotics
5. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/preventing-and-controlling-infections-standard/antimicrobial-stewardship
6. https://theconversation.com/how-our-immune-system-helps-us-fight-antibiotic-resistance-159831
7. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
8. https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/infections/antibiotics/overview-of-antibiotics
9. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine/infectious-diseases/x6e556f83:bacteria-and-viruses/a/antibiotics

Antibacterial Support Information

1. https://www.amr.gov.au/what-you-can-do/hospitals/antimicrobial-stewardship
2. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/quality-safety-service/infection-prevention-through-antimicrobial-stewardship
3. https://www.ncas-australia.org/fundamentals-of-ams
4. https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Antimicrobial_guidelines/
5. https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/keep-patients-safe/medication-safety/antimicrobial-stewardship/ams-implementation-toolkit/introducing-restrictions
6. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/antimicrobial-stewardship