While the ability of bacteria and fungi to survive antimicrobial therapy is a growing health threat across the globe, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center has been recognized for safely and effectively using antimicrobials to improve patient care.
The Georgia Department of Health’s Honor Roll for Antibiotic Stewardship was established in 2014 in an effort to improve antimicrobial stewardship at hospitals and office care facilities statewide. This week is Antibiotics Awareness Week.
Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center was recognized with Gold status and has been on the honor roll since 2018 for its practices.
“At Floyd, we are committed to being good stewards of the use of antibiotics in treating our patients,” said Gary Latta, clinical coordinator of Pharmaceutical Services at Floyd. “Being awarded Gold status is an honor that reflects our team’s commitment to provide safe and effective antimicrobial therapy.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is estimated there are more than 48,000 deaths in the U.S. annually and more than 1.27 million deaths worldwide due to germs that cannot be effectively treated using antibiotics or antifungal medications.
“Appropriate use of antibiotic and antifungal drugs helps improve patient outcomes by optimizing the treatment of infections, avoiding drug-related side effects and slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance,” Latta said.
“Patients often assume an antibiotic will help when they have a cold, and request antibiotics from their physicians. Many times, colds are caused by viral infections, and antibiotics offer no benefit to the patient and misuse for conditions like this can lead to antibiotic resistance,” he added.
Most of these infections, such as colds, should be managed with over-the-counter medications that can help control symptoms and allow the immune system to eradicate the viral infection.
“For us to continue to make progress in addressing the problem of antibiotic resistance, health care providers must continue to educate the public about antibiotic overuse and misuse,” Latta said.