The NH Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) program was developed in order to improve patient care related to antimicrobial use in all NH facilities through collaboration with healthcare providers. The goal of the program, is to ensure that we are successfully treating infections while reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use. Bacterial resistance and adverse effects from antimicrobials are growing concerns in the general public and health care systems nation-wide and we are losing our antimicrobials to multi-drug resistant bugs.
Not only do we need to change prescribing practices to minimize unnecessary or excessive antimicrobial exposure for the sake of our patients, we need to be responsible for our own health and that of our families in the future (when antibiotics might be needed). We also want to reduce adverse events such as C.difficile infection.
Did you know…
- There is an AMS page on the NH physician website which gives access to: online and print resources, antimicrobial updates, order sets and guidelines.
- There are AMS education modules on the Learning Hub available for refreshers on UTI management and (soon to come) management of pneumonias.
- Education sessions can be arranged on infectious disease/antimicrobial related topics upon expressed interest.
We are here to support you as clinicians in management of infections in your patients. Please contact myself or the AMS program coordinator with any questions or requests regarding educational activities or resources/tools.
You can contact the AMS program leads at:
250-565-5956 or via email ryan.doerksen@northernhealth.ca
Sincerely,
Dr. Abu Hamour
ID Specialist and Medical Lead for AMS Program