Author Archives: SimGalimam
Agricultural antibiotic use and antimicrobial stewardship – The Danish Story
An article in The Medical Observer by Dr. Sergio Diez Alvarez of the University of Newcastle comments on alarming trends of antibiotic resistance, the current problems with antibiotic stewardship and potential strategies to improve on reducing resistance. Whilst Dr Alvarez’s article provides some excellent comments for reflection on antibiotic use in humans, it is his discussion regarding […]
The old antibiotics are still useful – Fosfomycin
The Special Access Scheme (SAS) allows practitioners to import/gain access to therapeutic goods currently not registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for a single patient on a case by case basis. Fosfomycin (one such SAS drug) is a broad spectrum antibiotic belonging to the phosphonic acid derivative drug class (other examples in this drug class include foscarnet and adefovir).
PRINTING POSTINGS FROM AIMED
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Q10 – Remembering antibiotics and their classes
Our JMO pre-test survey also asked “What puzzles you about antibiotics and their use”. A recurring theme was concern about remembering the various classes and names of antibiotics. Here are some useful pointers and a short quiz !
Revisiting #SaveTheScript 2015 – short film meets AMS
In 2015 NPS MedicineWise partnered with Tropfest, to launch a short film competition to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance. Here are our picks of the 15 finalists– definitely worth a revisit! First prize – “The Pick Up” of the not-so lovely Ms Gonorrhoea! “Antibiotic man” “Pills“ The #savethescript judging panel included: Dr Andrew Rochford, Seven Network Health Editor […]
Penicillin ‘allergy’ and safety of third generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone)
A frequent issue is deciding whether a patient with a “penicillin allergy” can safely be given a cephalosporin antibiotic – what is the real risk of cross reaction and is it much less for third generation agents such as ceftriaxone? A recent publication in Prescriber Update from Medsafe New Zealand succinctly analyses cross-reactivity amongst beta-lactam antibiotics in the light […]
Lablogatory – medical pathology unpacked – a great clinical resource
If you have a curiosity about what actually goes on in a medical pathology lab. and matters pathological, then this is the site for you. There are fabulous clinical case presentations with detailed pathological correlation (many great photos) – just the thing for medical post graduate students but also great for others involved with diagnosis and treatment […]
AIMED - Let's talk about antibiotics 
Pathology stewardship – an essential element of AMS
Poor antimicrobial prescribing decisions often are triggered by laboratory results that create red herrings or worse. Inappropriate/ poor specimen collection and/or a request form that provides no context to the investigation often sets the ball rolling. Inappropriate workup and reporting of contaminant or colonising isolates may then follow (it may be impossible for the lab […]