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Infection Prevention and Control

 

 

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat infections.

This is because:

  • many infections are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are not effective
  • antibiotics are often unlikely to speed up the healing process and can cause side effects
  • the more antibiotics are used to treat trivial conditions, the more likely they are to become ineffective for treating more serious conditions

Both the NHS and health organisations across the world are trying to reduce the use of antibiotics, especially for health problems that are not serious.

For example, antibiotics are no longer routinely used to treat:

 

Can we prevent antimicrobial resistance?

As we cannot stop using antibiotics altogether, some antimicrobial resistance is bound to happen. However, we can slow down its development and contain its spread by using antibiotics carefully.

What you can do:

  • If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, follow your doctor’s advice on how to take them and for how long. Do not stop taking them before you’ve come to the end of the course, as this may make it easier for the resistant bacteria to take over
  • Never take anyone else’s antibiotics and never share yours
  • Do not take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription

What we do:

  • We educate doctors, nurses and patients about when it is right to use antibiotics. Most simple coughs, colds, sore throats and influenza are caused by viruses, and antibiotics do not help to fight viral infections.
  • We have an antibiotic guideline for all staff who prescribe drugs to follow. We monitor antibiotic prescribing and administration against the Trust guideline. We report findings to clinical teams on a regular basis
  • Good infection prevention and control (IPC) practice helps stop antibiotic resistance from spreading from one patient to another. This includes hand hygiene which we promote to all staff and visitors and regularly monitor.

 

Patient information leaflets

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE)

Clean hands are caring hands

Clostridioides difficile - Information for patients and relatives

CPE contact information leaflet  

Help us stop the spread of Coronavirus when visiting the hospital

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (EBSL)

Infusion of antibiotics given by Elastomeric pump

Isolation and barrier nursing

Multi-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii (MRAB)

MRSA

Norovirus

Patient’s clothing bags (PCB)

Respiratory viruses

Sepsis: information and awareness

Sepsis: information for patients and relatives following a suspected or confirmed sepsis diagnosis

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

What are we doing to prevent infection?

Why is my area closed?