“How is antibiotic resistance managed?”
I read an article about how common antibiotic residence is now, and it's a little scary. How is this managed in medical facilities and hospitals?
2 Answers
Sensitivity based Abx choice
Antibiotic resistance is a real concern nationally among hospitals. Every year, each hospital run numbers on resistance on each common bacterial pathogens so we know which antibiotics would most likely work. Each doctor would also look at an individual’s bacterial culture history if they are available to determine which anti would work on an individual as well. If an individual does have a resistant organism, isolation protocols are initiated to prevent spread.
To curb over antibiotic use, there are protocols that hospital electronic medical records use to help the clinician determine if an antibiotic is warranted such as increased white blood cell counts, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature and other lab work changes.
If an individual have a resistant organism, there are still several options to use. These antibiotics are also restricted to prevent resistance. Only when there is documented resistance, the electronic ordering system will allow these antibiotic to be used.
To curb over antibiotic use, there are protocols that hospital electronic medical records use to help the clinician determine if an antibiotic is warranted such as increased white blood cell counts, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature and other lab work changes.
If an individual have a resistant organism, there are still several options to use. These antibiotics are also restricted to prevent resistance. Only when there is documented resistance, the electronic ordering system will allow these antibiotic to be used.
