Antibiotic Stewardship: An Education Perspective to Lowering Antibiotic Usage

Authors

William Li, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Urgent Care

Advisor

Dr. Sarah Bolander, DMSc, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to evaluate whether further education on antibiotic stewardship given to clinicians and patients would result in a decrease in inappropriate antibiotic usage.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms antibiotic stewardship and urgent care setting. Another search was conducted with search terms antibiotic stewardship and education. A total of thirteen pertinent articles were retrieved and served as the basis for this clinical review. Websites of health governing agencies such as the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as articles from Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy pertaining information from the World Health Organization (WHO) were also used to support the findings.

Results: There is an overall decrease in inappropriate antibiotic usage after further clinician and patient education through antibiotic stewardship programs.

Conclusion: There has been a significant amount of inappropriate antibiotic usage in the past several years. According to the WHO, there have not been any significant releases of novel antibiotics. Additionally, the overuse of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions has resulted in an increase of antibiotic resistance and adverse side effects. Research has shown that creating antibiotic stewardship programs and educating clinicians and patients have played a key role in preventing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.

Recommended Citation

Li W. Antibiotic Stewardship: An Education Perspective to Lowering Antibiotic Usage. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(4).