World Antibiotic Awareness Week: Join us at the BTC and Sandwell
November 18, 2019
Today (Monday 18 November) marks the start of World Antibiotic Awareness Week.
Antibiotics are lifesaving medicines, which have revolutionised the practice of medicine and contributed to the increases seen in life expectancy over the last century. It is estimated that three million surgical procedures take place in England each year which require antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection.
Despite antibiotics being so vital to human health, there have been no new antibiotics developed by the pharmaceutical industry for over 30 years. Resistance is increasing to the antibiotics we currently have, so we need to use them more appropriately. All medical, nursing and pharmacy colleagues can play their part in antibiotic stewardship – every prescription should have the indication, duration or a review date documented. Antibiotics should be reviewed regularly to make sure they are still needed.
Want to find out more about antibiotics? Why not come along to one of our antibiotic awareness stands at the BTC (1st floor by the escalators) or Sandwell hospital by the main entrance between 11am and 1pm today (Monday 18 November) for more information, crosswords and a chance to win a prize with our quiz. You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse to take part!
Try the antibiotic guardian quiz to see how much you know about antibiotics: