NUR 500 Lit Review
Excessive Use of Antibiotics and
Their Effects on the Global Healthcare Environment
Melissa A McKinney
Drexel University
Abstract
This literature review explores numerous published articles that discuss the importance of recognizing that excessive antibiotic use has become a universal threat to our healthcare environments. This issue has turned into a global health phenomenon associated with increased occurrence of various antibiotic resistant bacteria, causing a serious danger to the human race. The expansive transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria, in both the hospital and the community, has increased morbidity and overall healthcare costs (van Buul, 2012). The aim of this paper is to provide an educational synopsis of the literature available on antibiotic usage, as it relates to antibiotic resistance, and strategies to combat overuse within multiple healthcare environments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2012), “Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most pressing public health problems.” Growing concern over this issue should influence overall nurses’ perspectives on the total use of antibiotics within their healthcare environment. As patient advocates, advanced practice nurses need to actively participate in reducing the development of antibiotic resistance in an attempt to mitigate unnecessary future complications. By incorporating appropriate prescription guidelines and educational background into everyday practice, antibiotic resistance can be reduced. Keywords: antibiotic, antibiotic resistance, global concern, nurses’ perspective
Excessive Use of Antibiotics and
Their Effects on Our Healthcare Environment Numerous studies have been conducted in regards to the excessive use of antibiotics, focusing on compliance of prescription guidelines, inappropriate usage of antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance within our healthcare environments.
Their Effects on the Global Healthcare Environment
Melissa A McKinney
Drexel University
Abstract
This literature review explores numerous published articles that discuss the importance of recognizing that excessive antibiotic use has become a universal threat to our healthcare environments. This issue has turned into a global health phenomenon associated with increased occurrence of various antibiotic resistant bacteria, causing a serious danger to the human race. The expansive transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria, in both the hospital and the community, has increased morbidity and overall healthcare costs (van Buul, 2012). The aim of this paper is to provide an educational synopsis of the literature available on antibiotic usage, as it relates to antibiotic resistance, and strategies to combat overuse within multiple healthcare environments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2012), “Antibiotic resistance has been called one of the world’s most pressing public health problems.” Growing concern over this issue should influence overall nurses’ perspectives on the total use of antibiotics within their healthcare environment. As patient advocates, advanced practice nurses need to actively participate in reducing the development of antibiotic resistance in an attempt to mitigate unnecessary future complications. By incorporating appropriate prescription guidelines and educational background into everyday practice, antibiotic resistance can be reduced. Keywords: antibiotic, antibiotic resistance, global concern, nurses’ perspective
Excessive Use of Antibiotics and
Their Effects on Our Healthcare Environment Numerous studies have been conducted in regards to the excessive use of antibiotics, focusing on compliance of prescription guidelines, inappropriate usage of antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance within our healthcare environments.
References: Ambroggio, L., White, C. M., Thomson, J., Murtagh Kurowski, E., Courter, J., Statile, A., & Shah, S. S. (2013). Quality improvement methods increase appropriate antibiotic prescribing for childhood pneumonia. Pediatrics, 131(5), e1623. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/antibiotic-resistance-faqs.html Cool, L. (2013). CDC: Overuse of Antibiotics Is Killing Americans. Retrieved from http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/cdc-superbugs-infect-million- americans-kill-annually Harris, D Rosen, T. (2011). Antibiotic resistance: An editorial review with recommendations. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 10(7), 724. Walker, T. (2013). Training, advising pediatricians in antibiotic usage improves compliance with prescription guidelines