Rational Use of Antibiotics

1. Rational antibiotics use strategies enhance the effective, safe, and cost-effective use of medicines, preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials, and contribute to good health outcomes.

2. Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a global and local threat and it is the responsibility of all clinical staff to ensure rational usage of antibiotics.

3. As such all prescribing officers should be extremely mindful of the relevant guidelines with regard to rational antibiotic usage.

4. The Following are important guidelines that all Medical Staff, Nursing Staff and Pharmacy Staff should update themselves on. a. General Circular 01-56/2016 by DGHS, Ministry of Health regarding Introduction of authorization of prescribing Red light antibiotics b. General Circular 02-166/2013 by DGHS, Ministry of Health regarding guidelines for the use of antibiotics in Central Nervous System Infections c. DGHS/Col.Micro/2014-114 dated 11.03.2014 regarding national antibiotic guidelines on Endocarditis d. DGHS/Col.Micro/2014-114 dated 12.09.2014 regarding National antibiotic guidelines on skin and tissue infections

5. Stewardship of the Antibiotic Usage at NIMH shall be under the Infection Control Committee and the Consultant Microbiologist.

6. Medical Officers are alway encouraged to get Consultant Microbiologist and Consultant Physician opinion when using multiple antibiotics.

7. When prescribing antibiotics Medical Officers are also instructed to fill the antibiotic card which will be utilized to monitor antibiotic usage.