Antimicrobial Awareness Week is an annual global event drawing attention to the effective use of antimicrobials in patient care, and in the prevention and containment of antimicrobial resistance.
Acting Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist Angela Wright said antibiotics are precious and whenever they must be used, antibiotics must be used with care.
“Misusing antibiotics can promote resistance, meaning that bacteria may no longer respond to the drugs designed to kill them,” Angela said.
Without effective antibiotics some procedures may not be possible, and some infections could be impossible to treat.
“As resistance to antibiotics increases, infections will become harder and harder to treat,” she said.
“Antibiotics can be lifesaving, however, must be used wisely to ensure they remain effective.”
We can all work together to help preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics. At Mackay HHS, the Antimicrobial Stewardship team works to monitor and optimise the use of antibiotics within the hospital.
At home, you too can help reduce resistance by only taking antibiotics when prescribed for you, and by taking antibiotics at the right dose, at the right time, and for the right duration.
For more information on the effective use of antibiotics, visit www.safetyandquality.gov.au/aaw
