CDC trying to rein in antibiotic use in LTC
Antibiotic stewardship is one of the important infection prevention strategies emphasized on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new website on long term care, where up to 70% of residents receive an antibiotic every year.
The CDC is trying to raise awareness about the need for stewardship programs to curtail the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in nursing homes by reminding administrators and clinicians to consider these key points:
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Estimates of the cost of antibiotics in the long-term care setting range from $38 million to $137 million per year.
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Among the antibiotic-resistant organisms most commonly found in nursing home populations are multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
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Antibiotic resistance in long-term care is associated with increased risk of hospitalization, increased cost for treatment, and increased risk of death.
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Many long-term care residents may be colonized with bacteria rather than infected. The challenge of separating colonization from true infection can contribute to antibiotic overuse in this setting. For example, studies have consistently shown that about 30%-50% of frail, elderly long-term care residents can have a positive urine culture even without any symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Unfortunately, many of these patients are placed inappropriately on antibiotics.
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Poor communication when patients transfer facilities, for example from a nursing home to a hospital, can result in antibiotic misuse.
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Antibiotic-related complications, such as diarrhea from Clostridium difficile infections, can be more severe, difficult to treat, and lead to more hospitalizations and deaths among people over 65 years. Long-term care facility residents are particularly at risk for these complications.
Nursing homes administrators should
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Have clear policies and practices to ensure that patients are not started on antibiotics unless they are needed.
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Review the facility's microbiology reports and antibiogram to detect trends in antibiotic resistance.
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Implement policies that encourage prudent antimicrobial prescribing, including establishment of minimum criteria for prescribing antibiotics and review of antibiotic appropriateness and resistance patterns.
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Implement nursing protocols for monitoring patients' status for an evolving condition if there is no specific indication for antibiotics.
Nursing home providers should
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Obtain microbiology cultures prior to starting antibiotics when possible so antibiotics can be adjusted or stopped when appropriate.
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Remember that treatment with antibiotics is only appropriate when the practitioner determines, on the basis of an evaluation, that the most likely cause of the patient's symptoms is a bacterial infection.
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Use antibiotics only for as long as needed to treat infections, minimize the risk of relapse, or control active risk to others. Antibiotics are generally not indicated to treat colonization.
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Avoid use of antibiotics to treat viral illnesses such as colds, influenza, and viral gastroenteritis.
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Engage residents and their family members in addressing the need to improve antibiotic use in your facility.
