health
Tracking system aims to reduce antibiotic misuse
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 28, 2011
In an effort to decrease the misuse of antibiotics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched a new system that allows hospitals to monitor their use of the drugs electronically.
The tracking system enables health care facilities to compare their antibiotic selection and use to other hospitals' practices, the CDC said in the Nov. 11 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (link). In the past, the CDC could track only antibiotic prescribing practices in physician offices.
The system initially is being implemented at hospitals in Illinois, Michigan, Utah and Houston, the CDC said. After a year, the CDC expects it to be available to hospitals across the country.
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can cause bacteria to become resistant to the drugs. Antibiotic resistance increases patients' risk of developing an infection for which there are limited or no treatment options, the CDC said.
The tracking system is part of the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network. The network is an Internet-based surveillance system that monitors infections in health care facilities across the country, including more than 4,800 hospitals.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/28/hlbf1128.htm.
