Author Archives: koh10
Antimicrobial prophylaxis for leech therapy
Leeches have been used throughout history for a variety of different medical indications. Over exploitation of medical leech species throughout the 19th century lead to the species becoming threatened. Today medical leeches are breed in special populations. Medicinal leech therapy is increasing in popularity to assist in wound healing where venous congestion is a problem. Leeches […]
Clinical Pharmacist led antimicrobial stewardship
Clinical pharmacists in all settings play important roles in antimicrobial stewardship. They are uniquely placed to provide medicines advice to both prescribers and patients, spreading the message of appropriate and safe antimicrobial use.
Do you care for patients with Cystic Fibrosis?
A new HNE LHD Guideline for antibiotic use in cystic fibrosis lung disease is now available.
Are faecal transplants the answer?
Faecal transplants are recommended for all sorts of ailments these days. Indications recommended (not always by doctors!) include weight loss, inflammatory bowel disease and autism. The best evidence for faecal transplants, however, is in the treatment of C. difficile disease.
Introduction to Antimicrobial Prescribing- online NPS MedicineWise course
NPS Medicinewise have put together an introduction to appropriate antimicrobial prescribing module for GPs, nurses and students. The activity is free and involves an interactive case study.
How did bacteria become resistant?
We all know that antibiotic resistance increases through improper use of antibiotics. With recent discoveries of bacteria containing antibiotic resistance genes in isolated tribes it would seem that bacteria have always been resistant- so why is it such a problem now?
Antimicrobial prophylaxis, quinolone resistance and prostate biopsy safety
Guest post: Patrick Harris, Staff Specialist in Microbiology, Central Laboratory, Pathology Queensland, Brisbane Overseas travel and prostate biopsies: a key risk-factor for infectious complications with multi-drug resistant bacteria Given an ageing population and the current reliance upon PSA testing to screen for prostate cancer, patients are increasingly being referred for trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies. Millions […]
Antibiotics and the QT Interval
Guest post : Ian Whyte, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at Calvary Mater Newcastle and University of Newcastle Case report (Knorr et al 2008 Ciprofloxacin-induced Q-T interval prolongation) 16-year-old boy was admitted for the treatment of an acute flare of Crohn’s disease and a perirectal abscess. The patient was started on ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV twice daily […]
New CDC resources for antimicrobial stewardship in residential aged care
Antimicrobial stewardship is as important in nursing homes or any residential aged care facility as a hospital. A recent study of MRSA epidemiology in the Hunter New England region indicates a significant association between residential aged care residence and first detection of MRSA in the community associated group with no contact with healthcare over previous […]
AIMED - Let's talk about antibiotics 