Did you know?
The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria in animals and food can also compromise the effective treatment of human infections, as resistant bacteria and resistant genes may be transferred to humans from animals and food (EFSA, 2014).
For example, a recent study found that humans and companion animals share MRSA bacteria from the same population, which suggests that companion animals may act as a reservoir for human infection.
Did you know?
Following such facts and overall concerns on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans, the UK Government published the 5-year AMR strategy 2013-2018 in September 2013.
The ability of bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment is a growing concern for both the medical and veterinary professions. The AMR Strategy forms a cohesive ‘one health’ approach to minimising the development of antibiotic resistance and protecting human and animal health and welfare. It focuses on three core themes:
- Infection prevention — the better the control, the fewer antibiotics to be prescribed
- Antibiotic stewardship — preserving the effectiveness of our existing antibiotics
- Developing alternatives — new classes of antibiotic, new ways to combat infections, and quicker diagnostics.
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Promotion of biosecurity measures and tailored farm health plans in the livestock sectors is a key theme of the Strategy; similarly good biosecurity in companion animal practice ensures that the spread of bacteria between patients is minimised.
Nursing teams often set the pace within their practice on disinfection and infection control protocols. Have you checked your protocol recently? Does everyone follow it? Could it be improved? Good guidance promotes infection prevention through management, monitoring and seeking advice. Many associations now publish the key recommendations for their sectors, e.g. BSAVA, BEVA.
Antibiotic prescribing habits and antibiotic resistance are inextricably linked. Sub-optimal use of antibiotics is a major driver of resistance. It is therefore important that antibiotics are used responsibly — the right drug for the right bug, at the right dose, for the correct duration of time. Nurses play a vital role in educating pet owners on how to give medicines correctly, making sure that they understand and follow their prescription.
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The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has collected data on sales of veterinary antibiotics for the past 20 years; in 2013 approximately 9% of all antibiotics sold were for use in companion animals only. Another aim of the Strategy is to get a more detailed understanding of how these antibiotics are used, including the level of ‘cascade’ use, i.e. use of human or farm animal products in companion animals.
SAVSNET, a joint University of Liverpool and BSAVA initiative, and VetCompass, run by the Royal Veterinary College, are two innovative databases that utilise data from practice management software. The VMD hopes, in future, that these will provide more accurate information on antibiotic use and help veterinary surgeons to make better informed antibiotic prescribing decisions.
Did you know?
YOU can help preserve our vital medicines. Become an Antibiotic Guardian and spread the word: visit www.antibioticguardian.com.
Every year, European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD) is held on 18 November to raise the profile of antibiotic resistance and promote the responsible use of antibiotics in humans and animals. This year the VMD with Public Health England (PHE) created the ‘Antibiotic Guardian’ pledge campaign. It asks people to commit to tailored actions that will help preserve antibiotics we already have.
The spread of AMR is a global concern so tackling it cannot be achieved through national action alone. But while the international response is important, we all have a role to play at the local level: to promote the responsible use of antibiotics to help preserve their effectiveness.