The most important ways to prevent antibiotic resistance are:
- Minimize unnecessary prescribing and overprescribing of antibiotics. This occurs when people expect doctors to prescribe antibiotics for a viral illness (antibiotics do not work against viruses) or when antibiotics are prescribed for conditions that do not require them.
- Complete the prescribed course of antibiotics so as to be fully effective, and no resistance to race.
- Practice good hygiene and use procedures for infection control.
Transmission in hospitals
The common way in which bacteria can pass from one patient to another are:
- Contact with contaminated hands of hospital personnel
- Contact with contaminated surfaces such as door handles, overbed tables and call bells
- Contact with contaminated equipment such as stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs.
Standard precautions for health centers
Standard precautions are work practices that provide a basic level of infection control for care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. These precautions should be followed in all health centers. These include:
- Good personal hygiene, including washing hands before and after contact with the patient and the appropriate use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions
- The use of barrier equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks and goggles
- Appropriate handling and disposal of sharp objects (eg needles) and clinical waste (waste generated during patient care)
- Aseptic technique.
The application of standard precautions minimizes the risk of transmission of infection from person to person, even in high-risk situations.
Additional precautions
Additional precautions are used when caring for patients who are known or suspected of being infected or colonized with highly infectious pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms). Microorganisms can be classified as “high risk” if:
- The route of transmission makes it more contagious – that can be transmitted by droplets or contact, or may be airborne
- They are caused by bacteria resistant to antibiotics
- They are resistant to standard sterilization procedures.
Additional precautions are tailored to the particular pathogen and route of transmission. Additional precautions may include:
- The use of a single room with dedicated bathroom or toilet
- Dedicated team of patient care
- Restricted movement of patients and health workers.
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