Life The Glynnwood Hospital claimed top spot for the Quality and Clinical Excellence: Antimicrobial Stewardship Award at the Life Health Care Group Life Achiever Awards held at Emperors Palace recently.
The Antimicrobial Stewardship is a programme of interventions designed to improve and measure the appropriate use of antimicrobials.
This is done by promoting the selection of the optimal antimicrobial drug regimen, dose, and duration of therapy and route of administration.
The goal is to achieve optimal clinical outcomes related to antimicrobial use, minimise toxicity and other adverse events, reduce the costs of healthcare for infections and limit the selection for antimicrobial resistant strains.
https://soundcloud.com/benoni-city-times/world-antibiotic-awareness-week
Life The Glynnwood, under the chairmanship of physician Dr Kuven Naidu, has been involved in Antimicrobial Stewardship at the hospital for the past 10 years.
Naidu explained Antimicrobial Stewardship is a team effort and involves doctors, pharmacists and nurses working together.
ALSO READ:
Research shows that antibiotic resistant superbugs are also propagated by non-antibiotic medicines
The committee looks at the antimicrobial use in the hospital as well as the various bacteria and viruses that have been isolated.
They then devise strategies to improve and measure the appropriate use of antimicrobial medications, including antibiotics, with the aim of enhancing patient health outcomes and reducing resistance to antibiotics.
Naidu and the committee concur the ability to prescribe antimicrobials (antibiotics, anti-fungal and anti-virals) has transformed the practice of medicine, making once lethal infections readily treatable.
“The misuse of antimicrobials also contributes to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, which has become one of the most serious threats to public health,” Naidu explained.
“Unlike other medications, the potential for spread of resistant organisms means the misuse of antimicrobials can adversely impact the health of patients who are not even exposed to them.”
He pointed out very few new innovative antimicrobials are currently being developed.
The prompt initiation of antimicrobials to treat infections has been proven to reduce the possibility of death and save
lives, especially the administration of antibiotics in the management of sepsis or severe infections.
“Since the dawn of antibiotics, medicine has advanced in order to remain effective to combat infections,” Naidu reaffirmed.
“Similarly, bacteria, fungi and viruses become smarter and adapt until they are able to overcome the effectiveness of antibiotics.”
Naidu stressed that Antimicrobial Stewardship should also take place in the community.
“Not all infections are caused by bacteria and therefore patients should not pressurise their doctor to prescribe antibiotics.
“Viral infections (including many types of flu) do not respond to antibiotics.
“Age-old rest and vitamin C are in all likelihood the best defences against common infections.
“With the misuse of antibiotics, infections will become immune to the effectiveness of the prescribed drugs thus throwing humanity into a worse off state than before the development of penicillin,” he concluded.
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Boksburg Advertiser, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Boksburg Advertiser, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
