The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) report, Antibiotic Use in the United States, 2017: Progress and Opportunities, provides the status of antibiotic use in healthcare settings, highlighting programs and resources to support better antibiotic prescribing and use. Improving the way we prescribe and use antibiotics, a concept referred to as “antibiotic stewardship,” is critical for treating infections effectively, protecting patients, and combating antibiotic resistance. Research shows that one way we can all work to improve patient care is through better use of antibiotics.
Everyone can play a critical role in improving antibiotic use and preventing infections across healthcare including healthcare providers and provider professional organizations; patients and their families; hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings; healthcare quality organizations; health insurers; and federal, state, and local health agencies. Antibiotics save lives and using antibiotics effectively means healthcare dollars are used more efficiently.
Key Takeaways
- Improving antibiotic prescribing and use is part of CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative, a comprehensive approach to combat antibiotic resistance that includes aggressive responses to outbreaks, groundbreaking approaches to innovation, and critical investments in state and local infection prevention and control.
- CDC focuses on supporting healthcare providers to make the best decisions to treat and protect their patients. We do this through technical expertise and tools for implementation, data, support for innovation, and education resources.
- CDC is also working to improve antibiotic prescribing and use related to other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, Valley fever, and gonorrhea.
Take Action
- Read and share this resource with your members and partners.
- Learn more about CDC’s work to combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
