Unintended effects: Antibiotic prescribing falls 79 percent for respiratory viruses
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
Rates have remained low throughout the pandemic, and appear to be the consequence of measures to curb COVID-19 transmission. The same public health strategies could be used to help reduce antibiotic overprescribing...
Antibiotic treatment sky-high in COVID-19 cases; formal guidelines reduce rates, studies show
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
The findings highlight the challenge faced by clinicians who wish to avoid overusing these drugs, but at the same time require access to potentially lifesaving treatment for a new respiratory disease.
An analysis of more than 7,000 IPC surveys finds that nursing homes have made “substantial” progress in taking up core elements of antibiotic stewardship as recommended by the agency.
Shorten antibiotic course for these common infections: American College of Physicians
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 07, 2021
Several common bacterial infections can be treated effectively with shorter courses of antibiotics than traditionally prescribed, according to new guidance from the ACP.
Antibiotics use spiked in nursing homes early in pandemic, studies find
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2021
Nursing homes saw a big jump in certain antibiotic prescriptions early in the pandemic, and more than half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients received antibiotics in the first six months, researchers say.
Clinical briefs for Monday, March 15
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 15, 2021
Bill McGinley retiring as ACHCA president and CEO … Antibiotic use spikes in nursing homes during pandemic … Pharmacists put squeeze on FDA to allow more usage from vaccine vials … AMDA’s foundation...
Triple antibiotic resistance occurs in 13 percent of serious UTIs, analysis finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 12, 2021
Resistance to three or more antibiotics occurs in one in eight patients hospitalized with a severe urinary tract infection, according to a large multicenter analysis of U.S. hospital data.
Antibiotics overused in COVID-19 patients, analysis finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 07, 2021
Fully three quarters of COVID-19 patients receive antibiotics, although fewer than 10% have a bacterial infection, according to a new research review.
Change in resident’s mental status doesn’t always equal infection, new guidance cautions
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 10, 2020
The authors provide a framework for infection workups when residents present with a non-specific sign or symptom. The revised guidance also reviews the latest evidence on how best to evaluate non-localized...
PointClickCare adds antibiotic stewardship function
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 25, 2020
Senior care software provider PointClickCare has added antibiotic stewardship functionality to its Infection Prevention & Control solution, enabling staff to optimize the use of antibiotic agents via best...