March Business Meeting

“Antimicrobial Resistance: A Public Health Emergency"

OVERVIEW

Antimicrobial resistance is a major health threat resulting in news headlines worldwide.
Trusted first line antibiotics are often no longer effective and the reasons for antibiotic
resistance are multifactorial. While many experts are pointing to evidence that we are in
danger of losing this battle against microbes; this is one battle we cannot afford to lose. In
the United States, regulatory, accrediting, and compliance organizations require antibiotic
stewardship programs that change how antibiotics are used and monitored. Antibiotic
resistance is challenging practitioners to find a more effective antibiotic. This often results in
resurrecting older, more toxic, antibiotics, the use of more expensive antibiotics, or
combining antibiotics. This educational activity provides an overview of factors contributing
to antibiotic resistance and addresses public health relevance.