WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP?
Antibiotics kill germs, but the more antibiotics you take, the harder it is to kill them. The germs that
survive become “resistant” and are hard to control. These resistant germs can make you sicker for
longer. You may need a stronger antibiotic, but they can cause more side effects.
Antibiotic stewardship programs can improve how and when antibiotics are used. Studies have
shown that 40%–75% of antibiotics given in nursing homes may not be needed.
Your care team wants you or your family member to have the right antibiotic, for the right amount
of time (“duration”), and at the right time. Your care team may not prescribe an antibiotic if they
don’t think it will help.
When do you NOT need an antibiotic?
- You have a virus, like a cold or the flu.
- You do not have signs or symptoms of an infection.
- Your symptoms may be from something else, like cloudy pee if you haven’t been drinking enough water or germs in your pee that could have come from your skin.
- You or your family members ask for an antibiotic, but your healthcare provider feels it is not required.
What are the risks of taking antibiotics?
- Medication interactions—Antibiotics may not mix well with a different drug you are taking and cause you harm.
- Side effects—Antibiotics can cause side effects like an upset stomach, diarrhea, and yeast infections. You can also be allergic to an antibiotic.
- Infections with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) after taking antibiotics— C. diff is a germ that can cause diarrhea, dehydration, stomach pain, and fever. In the worst cases, it can cause death.
- Antibiotic resistance—You or your family member may need to be kept away from everyone (“placed in isolation”) to prevent resistant germs from spreading to others.
