Kentucky currently has one of the highest antibiotic prescribing rates in the nation, with 1,089 prescriptions per 1,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This rate exceeds the national average and highlights an urgent need for stronger antimicrobial stewardship efforts across the state. Unnecessary antibiotic use contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, a growing global threat.
Infection Preventionists play a critical role in stewardship efforts. They are uniquely positioned to educate both clinical staff and patients about the risks of inappropriate antibiotic use and to reinforce that most respiratory infections—such as viral bronchitis, colds, and the flu—do not require antibiotics. IPs can help dispel myths and clarify that supportive care, not antibiotics, is the standard for viral illnesses. In addition to education, IPs should remain familiar with their facility’s antibiogram, a tool that shows local patterns of antibiotic resistance. Utilizing the antibiogram helps guide appropriate empiric antibiotic selection and promotes narrower, targeted therapy.
Through education, data-driven decision-making, and active involvement in stewardship activities, IPs can help protect patients, preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics, and fight antimicrobial resistance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Antibiotic Use in the United States, 2023 Update: Progress and Opportunities. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/stewardship-report/index.html
CDC. The Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/hcp/core-elements/hospital.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/core-elements/hospital.html