Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019

21 Oct 2019

Thinking about what to do for Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019?

Here are some ideas!

From November 18-24, 2019, organizations across the world will join in the celebration of Antibiotic Awareness Week (AAW). The focus of this week is to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance and to encourage appropriate antibiotic use in all healthcare settings.

Clinicians can help spread the message to their colleagues and patients by encouraging participation in interactive activities and sharing engaging resources. Here are a few suggestions:

Videos

Consider sharing one or more of these videos via email, on your organization’s intranet, or playing in a loop for your Antibiotic Awareness booth.

The microbiome is an important environment of trillions of organisms living on and within you. Learn how antibiotics can disrupt this delicate ecosystem and what you can do to protect your microbiome.

This short video for patients explores why and when antibiotics may not be needed for upper respiratory tract infections and what patients can do to feel better without antibiotics.

A brief informative video for patients describes the microbiome, antibiotic adverse effects and what questions patients can ask their healthcare providers when receiving an antibiotic.

Interactive Activities

Here are some great activities to share either electronically or in-person. Consider offering small prize(s) for participants.

This “viral” personality quiz for health care professionals and patients will determine which antibiotic best matches their personality, while learning about antibiotic misuse.

For kids and kids at heart, help destroy harmful bacteria without causing drug resistance!

For healthcare professionals and anyone with a keen interest in antibiotic stewardship, join this Twitter Chat to learn and share about how to “Get Smart” about antibiotic use. Thursday November 21 at 7PM Eastern Time.

Live Webinars

Lunch and learn about innovative topics in antibiotic stewardship.

Antibiotics and the Microbiome: PHO Grand Rounds
Learn more from renowned expert Dr. Bryan Coburn about the role of the microbiome, the growing research on the influence of antibiotics and how we can manipulate the microbiome to improve human health.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 12 P.M. (EST)

Handouts and Tools

Make these handouts available at your Antibiotic Awareness Booth or share them with colleagues who might find them useful.

Let’s Talk: Shared Decision Making Infographics
In collaboration with Choosing Wisely Canada, PHO has created a series of evidence-based resources entitled “Let’s Talk” to highlight the benefits and harms of antibiotic therapy for common respiratory tract infections. Resources designed to facilitate discussions between clinicians and patients in primary care.

Shorter is Smarter Fact Sheet
For healthcare professionals, using shorter courses of antibiotics is effective and can reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure for patients. Find out what durations are recommended for common infections. Accompanying infographic explains why Shorter is Smarter.

Key Practice Statements for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
For healthcare professionals, Choosing Wisely recommendations and practical tips to help optimize antibiotic prescribing in primary care.

Do Bugs Need Drugs?
For patients and families, a colourful and informative guide to wise antibiotic use and preventing emergence and transmission of antibiotic resistance.

Don’t forget to join in the conversation during AAW with us on our official Twitter account. #AntibioticAwarenessWeek.

If you have any questions or feedback about our resources, or antimicrobial stewardship in Ontario,  please reach out to us at ASP@oahpp.ca.

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Contact

Communications

communications@oahpp.ca

Updated 21 Oct 2019