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Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings: New Strategies to Prevent Resistant Organisms

  • Infectious Diseases in the Elderly (ML Schilling, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Many studies worldwide confirm that antibiotic use is common in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Some of that antibiotic use is inappropriate and may contribute to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Inappropriate use may be characterized as antibiotic treatment of clinical syndromes that are not infectious, infectious conditions that do not respond to antibiotics, and prolonged duration. Additionally, better antibiotic choices should have been made or insufficient clinical evidence was present to start an antibiotic. National and international action plans are under development to curtail unnecessary antibiotic use throughout the healthcare continuum including LTCF. While the optimal strategies to curtail antibiotic use in LTCF have not been defined, there are a number of approaches that can help nursing homes monitor their antibiotic usage, recognize problem areas, and develop and implement quality improvement initiatives.

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  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, VAAAHS Rm 804b, Infectious Diseases Section 111i, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA

    Suzanne F. Bradley

  2. Infection Control, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Suzanne F. Bradley

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Bradley, S.F. Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings: New Strategies to Prevent Resistant Organisms. Curr Geri Rep 5, 16–24 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-016-0158-9

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