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THE PREVENTION OF DRUG RESISTANCE
In the war against antimicrobial resistance, curbing the excessive and unnecessary use of medications as well as changing hospital policies and educating patients may be more beneficial than developing new drugs. Patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers must work together to employ effective strategies against resistant microbes.
PREVENTION AND DE-ESCALATION
In the struggle against super bugs de-escalation tends to work better than an evolutionary arms race.
In the early years of the antimicrobial era, resistant pathogens were rare. However, antimicrobial use has permitted organisms to thrive, mutate, and evolve within patients, thus creating a problem that puts individuals, communities, and nations at risk. Any strategy to address the impending threat of antimicrobial resistance must focus on decreasing the transmission of resistant organisms in homes, communities, and especially healthcare settings. Precautions must also be made to prevent transmissions through food, water, and international trade. The key elements are to improve hygiene and cut back on excessive use.
Those in the general public can help slow the spread of resistance by being informed on their condition, treatment options, and following a physician's instructions. This includes inquiring about tests, taking the prescribed dosage, completing the course of the medication, and not sharing antimicrobials under any circumstances. Asking if tests will be done helps doctors make sure that the correct drug is prescribed. Patients should take the correct dosage and full course in order to ensure that the pathogen is fully eliminated and cannot make a comeback. Additionally, patients should not share or use left over antimicrobials, as most treat a specific pathogen and do more harm than good when misused. Finally, the three main actions the general public can do in order to combat drug resistance is to practice good hygiene, receive the recommended vaccines, and to avoid pressuring physicians to prescribe unnecessary medications.
WHAT CAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC DO?
WHAT CAN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS DO?
Those in the health care industry play a large role in preventing resistance. Health care professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, etc.) should prescribed antibiotics correctly by running tests and growing cultures. These individuals should also stay aware of resistance patterns in the area and follow hygiene rules. Most importantly, health care professionals should not only be vigilant and resist patient pressure for antimicrobials in unnecessary situations, but educate patients on appropriate use of such medications. Additionally, those in administrative positions should adopt an antibiotic stewardship program and work with other facilities to prevent infections, transmission, and resistance.
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