It’s U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week – Nov 18-24, 2023
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual observance that raises awareness of
the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
The observance is a partnership between the CDC, state-based programs (such as the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antibiotic Resistance Team), and non-profit/for-profit partners.
The goal of this national observance is to improve antibiotic stewardship practices of both healthcare providers and consumers to achieve the best outcomes while minimizing untoward effects of antibiotic therapy.
Outpatient Antibiotic Use in Nebraska
Outpatient antibiotic prescribing rates vary widely across the United States, which suggests that there are stewardship opportunities for healthcare providers, facility and healthcare system leadership, and other partners to improve how antibiotics are used. Monitoring of outpatient antibiotic prescribing data is regularly conducted by CDC to better understand trends in outpatient antibiotic prescribing, identify where interventions to improve prescribing are most needed, and measure progress.
In 2022, Nebraska’s prescribing rate was reported by the CDC as 824 prescriptions per 1,000 population. This ranks Nebraska 43rd in the nation. The lowest prescribing rate in the nation was 403 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 population – Nebraska prescribes more than double that rate!
All Antibiotic Classes | A.R. & Patient Safety Portal (cdc.gov)
Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship in Nebraska
Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs use the Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs as a framework for implementation.
7 Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship
- Leadership Commitment
- Accountability
- Pharmacy Expertise
- Action
- Tracking
- Reporting
- Education
In 2022, 93% of Nebraska hospitals reported meeting all seven Core Elements on the annual National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Survey. This ranks Nebraska 44th in the nation!
If your hospital is not meeting all 7 Core Elements, Nebraska ASAP is here to help!
Send our team a message at Contact Us – ASAP (nebraskamed.com)
Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship | A.R. & Patient Safety Portal (cdc.gov)
Nursing Home Antibiotic Stewardship in Nebraska
Nursing Home Antibiotic Stewardship Programs use the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes as a framework for implementation.
7 Core Elements of Nursing Home Antibiotic Stewardship
- Leadership Commitment
- Accountability
- Pharmacy Expertise
- Action
- Tracking
- Reporting
- Education
In 2022, 76 nursing homes completed the NHSN annual survey in Nebraska, and 76% of those facilities reported meeting all seven Core Elements. This is a large increase from 2021, where 56% of facilities reported meeting all Core Elements.
Progress is being made in Nebraska nursing homes to improve antibiotic use!
If your nursing home is not meeting all 7 Core Elements, Nebraska ASAP can help!
Send our team a message at Contact Us – ASAP (nebraskamed.com)
Long-term Care Antibiotic Stewardship | A.R. & Patient Safety Portal (cdc.gov)
How can you Be Antibiotics Aware?
Nebraska ASAP invites healthcare stakeholders, providers as well as consumers to share the important Be Antibiotics Aware message during this weeklong observance by:
- Sharing social media messages on
- Bookmarking and sharing postings from the Nebraska ASAP blog and the UNMC ID Division blog
- Signing up for gov email updates and Nebraska ASAP updates
- Including information about S. Antibiotic Awareness Week in your institution’s print and electronic newsletters
- Printing and sharing Handouts and Posters with healthcare providers and consumers
- Playing Videos on TV screens in medical offices, waiting rooms, and pharmacies
Nebraska ICAP and ASAP look forward to your participation in
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week from November 18 to 24!
Written by Jenna Preusker, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP
Nebraska ASAP Pharmacy Coordinator
