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
At the bottom of each article click the “Print & PDF” tab under the “Share this” heading next to the social media tabs (see below). This should link you to a version of the article that is print-friendly.
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 !
Dental Antimicrobial Stewardship – excellent UK toolkit released
In November 2016, a Dental Antimicrobial Stewardship: toolkit was released. It was developed in response to findings in the May 2016 Antimicrobial Resistance review by the Dental Subgroup of the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR). It complements these existing standards: General Dental Council (GDC) standards/guidance and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards.
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 […]
How well do you know antibiotic interactions? Complete our AAW quiz!
Antibiotics are consistently and widely used in almost all areas of clinical healthcare in Australia with 38% of hospital patients being treated with a microbial on any given day (2014) and 46% of the general population being dispensed at least one systemic antimicrobial prescription in the community (2014-2015). Do you think you’ve got a […]
ANTIBIOTICS: HANDLE WITH CARE
“Antimicrobial resistance is a danger of the utmost urgency. This year will be a pivotal one…We have a global action plan. What we need now is the action” Margaret Chan, WHO Director – General addresses the Executive Board. Report by the Director-General to the Executive Board at its 138th Session Geneva, Switzerland. 25 January 2016
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 […]
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 […]