Today is European Antibiotic Awareness Day and the start of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

November 18, 2022

European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) and World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aim to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – one of the leading risks to human health.

Today’s theme is prevention.

At SWB we are reminding colleagues to adhere to robust infection control practices. Preventing the spread of organisms is fundamental to preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The growing number of healthcare-associated infections caused by drug resistant organisms (such as carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CPE/CRO), multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa) pose a significant threat to public health.

Hand washing is the simplest and most effective way of preventing healthcare-associated infections. It protects our patients, reduces antibiotic use, and slows the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Vital hygiene measures to be aware of:

Hand hygiene: The 5 WHO moments
Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Environmental cleaning
Compliance with Aseptic Non-Touch Techniques
Correct management of indwelling devices

All colleagues at SWB have a responsibility to ensure they are compliant with and adhere to infection prevention and control policies, procedures and guidelines. Robust infection prevention and hand hygiene practices protect our patients.

Would you like to become an antibiotic champion? We are currently seeking clinical colleagues who want to become antibiotic champions. This could be nurses, junior doctors, ward managers, registrars, pharmacists, consultants, matrons and pharmacy technicians – anyone who is interested in helping to improve the use of antibiotics at the Trust to improve patient care and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance.

If this is something of interest to you, please see the antibiotic champion information sheet for further details