CDC Pleads for Clinicians to Be Antibiotics Aware

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is intent on driving down inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, and using U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and World Antibiotic Awareness Week to unveil a new educational campaign called Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care. The CDC says at least 2 million Americans become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria annually—with at least 23,000 dying as a result. With over 160 million patient visits every year, according to the Urgent Care Association of America, urgent care centers are well positioned to take a leadership role in supporting more responsible prescribing. The CDC says that starts with prescribing according to accepted guidelines for various infections, but also includes educating patients so they have a better understanding of why they might not get the antibiotic they thought they needed, and stop pressuring prescribers to provide them. More information that may be helpful in engaging patients in discussion is available at www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.