Join the fight against antibiotic resistance

This Antimicrobial Awareness Week we’re joining with health organisations around the world to promote the appropriate and safe use of antibiotics. 

“Everybody can be part of the solution. Whenever antibiotics must be used, they must be used with care,” said Chin-Yen Yeo, antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist at Blacktown & Mt Druitt Hospitals.

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria stop an antibiotic from working effectively. This is happening at alarming pace because antimicrobials are being overused.

“Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at a faster rate than new antibiotics are being developed, and this will continue if we don’t change the way we use antibiotics.”

Chin-Yen and colleagues at Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) are doing their bit to make sure antibiotics are used appropriately across the district’s hospitals.

The Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) program develops and implements novel interventions to improve patient outcomes. They work to ensure the right antibiotic gets to the right patient at the right time, in the right dose, via the right route for the right duration.

Working in collaboration with the WSLHD Consumer Council they are also raising awareness in the community of some of the issues that are threatening antibiotic effectiveness.

“Without effective antibiotics some procedures may not be possible and some infections could be impossible to treat,” said Chin-Yen.

“There are simple things we all can do to help the fight against antibiotic resistance. Only use antimicrobials as prescribed by your doctor, don’t save your prescription for later and do not share antibiotics with friends or family.”

“The future of antimicrobials depends on all of us!”