WEBINAR: The Vital Role Antibiotic Surveillance Plays in Preparing for Increased Oversight of Infection Prevention and Control Programs

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medication in nursing facilities. However, 40-75% of those prescribed antibiotics may be unnecessary or inappropriate – causing risk of serious diarrheal infections from Clostridium difficile, increased adverse drug events and drug interactions, and colonization and/or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We already know that monitoring and tracking antibiotic use in nursing facilities is an arduous and painstakingly timely process, but vital if we want to improve outcomes and eliminate needless side effects. The right technology can help – by not only automating the tracking and reporting of antibiotic use facility-wide, but also by identifying the early warning signs of infection, highlighting the need for possible testing to determine the appropriate drug interventions.

What You Will Learn:

• Review and Understand CDC Antibiotic Stewardship requirements
• Learn strategies to improve antibiotic use and reduce antibiotic resistance as well as unnecessary adverse drug interactions
• Leverage technology for fast and efficient surveillance and reporting of antibiotic use among resident populations

Speaker: Cheryl Scalzo, RN, Clinical Account Specialist, Real Time Medical Systems