Prescribing a routine course of antibiotics significantly increases the likelihood of an individual carrying a resistant bacterial strain – resistant bacteria can be spread to family, friends and the broader community. To minimise antibiotic resistance, Australian guidelines recommend that an antibiotic should only be prescribed:
- when benefits to the patient are likely to be substantial
- with the narrowest spectrum to treat the likely pathogen
- at the appropriate dose and for the appropriate duration
Staphylococcus aureus that is methicillin-resistant (MRSA), and therefore resistant to all β-lactam antibiotics, is widespread, with skin and soft tissue infections among the most common sources. Although most of the data describe the problem in hospital settings, there is an emerging picture of antibiotic resistance in community settings across Australia.
Find out more about antibiotics on the NPS MedicineWise website
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Clinical e-Audit: Management of specific respiratory tract infections
This clinical e-audit about specific respiratory tract infections (RTIs) enables you to review your current practice, consider implementing changes to practice and reflect on areas for ongoing improvement.
Case Study: Urinary tract infections: exploring antibiotic treatment
In this online case study exploring antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections you will meet Clara Wainwright, an 82-year-old woman who lives in the local aged-care facility.
Case Study: Otitis media: clarifying the role of antibiotics
In this online case study you will weigh up the need for antibiotics with two different cases of acute otitis media.
Online Course: Antimicrobials: introduction to prescribing
This free online course focuses on and provides an opportunity to reinforce knowledge of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing in a hospital setting.
Online Course: Antimicrobials: catheter-associated urinary tract infections
This free online course on antibiotics and catheter-associated urinary tract infections is for pharmacists, nurses and students.
Online course: Antimicrobials: bacteraemia
In this free online course, you will diagnose and treat a case of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in a 69-year-old male.
Online Course: Antimicrobials: community-acquired pneumonia
This free online course on antibiotics and community-acquired pneumonia is for pharmacists, nurses and students.
Online Course: Antimicrobials: surgical prophylaxis
This free online course on antibiotic prophylaxis and surgery is for pharmacists, nurses and students.
Online Course: Managing UTIs in aged care
This free online course on antibiotics and catheter-associated urinary tract infections is for pharmacists, nurses and students.
Medicines Use Review: Antibiotics in urinary tract infections: ensuring appropriate use
This continuing professional development activity assists pharmacists and nurses to reflect on management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and use of antibiotics.
Take the pledge
If you are prescribing, dispensing or working with people taking antibiotics, take the health professional pledge now to join the fight against antibiotic resistance.
For your patients
Respiratory tract infections: Manage your symptoms action plan
Patients can often self-manage coughs and colds and avoid antibiotics. This management plan will help you remind patients of the things they can do.
Childhood RTI fact sheet: What every parent should know
This fact sheet deals with common symptoms and infections of the ear, nose, throat and chest in children who are usually healthy. Download and print for parents and carers.
Translated fact sheets about antibiotic resistance
These antibiotic resistance fact sheets have been translated into Arabic, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. They can be printed for patients.
Antibiotic resistance – what it is and why it's a problem
Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria are no longer sensitive to an antibiotic. Read about how antibiotic resistance is caused; what you can do to help prevent it.
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) – nose, throat and lungs
An A-Z of common respiratory tract infections of the ear, nose, throat and chest.
Video
The Pick Up by ONEWAY PICTURES
NPS MedicineWise and Tropfest have partnered to encourage creative individuals or groups to help spread a vital health message to Australians that, through misuse and overuse, antibiotics are losing their power. This film is by Vincent Zimbardi and Steve Callen of Oneway Pictures "Excuse me, aren't you gonnorrhoea?"
5 Questions
5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider to make sure you end up with the right amount of care.