The development of antibiotics has changed the way we live our lives. These miracle drugs have allowed many to survive otherwise deadly infections. But the overuse of antibiotics has encouraged and expedited the evolution of “super bugs” or antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are rapidly causing a national healthcare crisis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year in the United States at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die annually as a direct result.

What Can Healthcare Providers Do?

• Counsel patients not to use antibiotics unnecessarily.
• Wait for test results before writing a prescription.
• Educate patients on the dangers of antibiotic overuse and the negative effects of killing all the bacteria in your gut.
• Determine if your electronic health record has a built-in antibiotic overuse precaution to alert you.
• Use the Get Smart tools and guidelines provided by the CDC to decrease infections and resistance.

Providers can also partner with atom Alliance to help prevent hospital-associated infections and antibiotic resistance. Learn more.