CDC Vitalsign Making Healthcare Safer

Information on poor practices in prescribing antibiotics and the risk of preventable allergic reactions or super resistant infections.

Antibiotics save lives, but poor prescribing practices are puttingpatients at unnecessary risk for preventable allergic reactions, super-resistant infections, and deadly diarrhea. Errors in prescribing decisions also contribute to antibiotic resistance, making these drugs less likely to work in the future.

To protect patients and preserve the power of antibiotics, hospital CEOs/medical officers can:

Adopt an antibiotic stewardship program that includes, at a minimum, this checklist:

• Leadership commitment: Dedicate necessary human,
  financial, and IT resources.
• Accountability: Appoint a single leader responsible
  for…