World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW)- Antimicrobial Resistance And The Environment & Research

November 24, 2023

WAAW aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – one of the leading risks to human health.

Today’s theme is ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT & RESEARCH

 As part of WAAW we are promoting an “antibiotic amnesty”

Please encourage patients to return unused antibiotics to their pharmacy for safe disposal.

• Environmental contamination from unsafe disposal risks driving up antimicrobial resistance in the environment at large.
• Patients holding on to part courses “just in case” to self-medicate ad hoc drives antimicrobial resistance.

Reduce our carbon footprint by switching IV antimicrobials to oral

• IV antimicrobials have a much larger carbon footprint than oral
  • Production of vial vs tablet/capsules
  • Worldwide transport of heavier product
  • Consumables used (inc. syringes, giving sets, WFI, flushes, etc)
• Around 30% of patients still on IV antibiotics after 72hrs could safely switch to oral.
• Review regularly and consider switching IV to oral in line with new national guidelines

 This is the final day of World Antibiotic Awareness Week.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats to our health.

There’s an urgent need to act before it’s too late.

 We must:

• Prevent infections through vaccination and robust infection prevention
• Improve antimicrobials prescribing to reduce unnecessary use
• Optimise use of diagnostic tools
• Properly assess and document allergies
• Protect the environment by using antimicrobials optimally

Be sure to check out the video below: