Antimicrobial resistance (AR)
Antibiotics and other antimicrobials are strong medicines designed to kill germs, such as bacteria and fungi, that cause infections in your body. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs learn how to defeat the medicines, making infections difficult to treat.
Why does it matter? Every year in the US:
– 2.8 million people get antimicrobial resistant infections
– 35,000 people die from antimicrobial resistant infections
– $4.6 billion is spent treating antimicrobial resistant infections
Antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs are critical in treating many infections, but their usefulness is threatened by overuse. Antimicrobial stewardship ensures these life-saving medications are used appropriately. Healthcare facilities should model their stewardship efforts around the CDC’s core elements of stewardship:
Healthcare provider continuing education (CE) and resources for antimicrobial stewardship
- Online training courses offer up to 10 hours of free (CE) in stewardship for acute care, outpatient, dental, and long term care specialties.
- Printable resources and educational materials for healthcare professionals
World Antibiotic Awareness Week is held November 18-24 every year.