antibiotic resistance

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The role of Healthcare strategies in controlling Antibiotic Resistance
This article discusses the impact that antibiotic use has had in the role of increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Antibiotics are broadly used in the treatment of bacterial infections, which has led to survival and adaptation of the microbe and has decrease the antibiotics efficacy. This will eventually lead to infections that are no longer treatable according to Aziz. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise and cause for national attention; the threat of antibiotic resistance is a “ticking time bomb” ranked alongside terrorism on the list of threats to the nation (Aziz, 2013). This is a worldwide threat that has caused a significant decrease in the number of antibiotics that are effective against bacteria.
How Antibiotics Work
Antibiotics disrupt the bacterial cell at different levels and can either kill bacterial or keep it from reproducing (Aziz, 2013). Some antibiotics can prevent the cell wall from forming and cause lysis of the cell. By disrupting the cell envelope, the high oncotic pressure inside the cell draws fluid into it until it burst. Similarly, by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane the energy producing system of the cell ceases and kills the cell. Antibiotics can prevent protein synthesis and DNA synthesis. Bacteria will utilize resources from their human host, and use it in transcription and translation to manufacture proteins. However, antimicrobials can act by binding to and inhibiting this process, thereby stopping the bacteria from functioning. Disrupting the DNA process stops the bacteria from reproducing and multiplying and effectively causes the death of the bacteria.
Antibiotic Resistance
According to Aziz antibiotic ...

... middle of paper ...

...ope to improve this in my own practice by promoting hand hygiene as a primary way to decrease the spread of infection. Additionally, being acutely aware to follow the top ten tips to effective antibiotic prescribing, staying informed on new guidelines for antimicrobial prescribing, using narrow spectrum antibiotics instead of broad spectrum and consulting with microbiology. Swabbing patients for quick test before prescribing antibiotics and conferring with the Standford guide to antimicrobial therapy to ensure proper use are a few strategies that I plan to use in my practice.

Works Cited

Aziz, A. (2013). The role of healthcare strategies in controlling antibiotic resistance. British Journal Of Nursing, 22(18), 1066-1074.
Woo, T. M., & Wynne, A. L. (2012). Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurse Practitioner Prescribers (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company.

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