Address antibiotic issues
February 15, 2012
EFFECTIVE communication
between healthcare professionals
and their patients can reduce the
antibiotic demand for self-limiting
conditions like respiratory tract
infections, and as such, help to
reduce the levels of individual- and
community-based antibiotic
resistance, according to NPS.
The statement comes on the
back of its newly launched
antibiotics campaign (PD 01 Feb)
which is designed to help stem the
rising tide of antibiotic resistance.
“Many patients are unaware of
the issues surrounding antibiotic
resistance and how it can affect
them, their friends and family,”
said NPS Clinical Adviser
Dr Danielle Stowasser.
“Prescribing an antibiotic now,
for infections that resolve without
drug treatment, means that
antibiotics are likely to be less
effective for them when they need
to treat a severe infection in the
future,” she said.
Adding to the patient safety
benefits of explaining issues
surrounding the misuse or overuse
of antibiotics to patients, Stowasser
said that there is evidence to
suggest that patient satisfaction is
more likely to be influenced by
good communication over
prescribing an antibiotic.
For more information see
www.nps.org.au.
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