{"id":5345,"date":"2023-07-17T09:10:19","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T08:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/?page_id=5345"},"modified":"2023-07-12T14:19:53","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T13:19:53","slug":"antimicrobial-stewardship-including-antibiotics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/antimicrobial-stewardship-including-antibiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Infection – Antimicrobial Stewardship (including Antibiotics)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Infection -Antimicrobial Stewardship<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Antimicrobials can speed up your recovery if you have an infection and can save your life if you have a serious infection. However, overuse of antimicrobials can lead to antimicrobial resistance \u2013 infections with bugs that cannot be treated effectively with antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial stewardship is about avoiding unnecessary use of antimicrobials and making sure that whenever an antimicrobial is used, it is used with care to minimise the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Consumers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and care staff all have an  important role in antimicrobial stewardship.

The following information is to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Support conversations with both residents and families<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Provide shared understanding of careful and appropriate antibiotic use<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Signpost resources that optimise infection management in care homes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Information on
    Infections, AMS and AMS Resistance<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    \"Infographic<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    What are Infections?<\/h2>
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    • Infections are illnesses caused by bacteria, virus, fungi or parasites<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • As we get older our chances of getting an infection increases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      What are Antimicrobials?<\/h2>
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      Antimicrobials are medications to treat or prevent infections.

      They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Antibiotics which are active against bacteria (for example amoxicillin, cefalexin)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Antivirals which are active against viruses (for example aciclovir)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Antifungals which are active against fungi (for example clotrimazole cream)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Antiparasitics which are active against parasites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        What is Antimicrobial Resistance?<\/h2>
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        • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bugs that cause infections become resistant to antimicrobials. AMR makes it difficult to treat the infection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • AMR rates are higher in aged care services than in hospitals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Preventing antimicrobial misuse can reduce AMR in aged care services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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