Antimicrobial resistance – For health providers

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasing. Health-care providers are leaders in the appropriate use of antibiotics. Prescribers assess the potential benefit of antimicrobial use against the risks of harm, and ensure patients get the right drug, at the right time, at the right dose, and for the shortest effective duration. A list of resources for health providers is outlined below. 

Firstline app

The app contains guidelines, pathogen and drug information based on local data to help guide appropriate use of antibiotics and antimicrobials.  

As therapy recommendations based on local data are a cornerstone strategy of Antimicrobial Stewardship, the adoption of this app represents a considerable step forward in promotion of the appropriate use of antimicrobials throughout Eastern Health.  If you are an Eastern Health clinician, please: 

• Download the app 

Quality of Care NL resources

• Practice Points articles relating to antibiotics

Choosing Wisely Canada resources

• Practice change recommendations 
• Clinician tools 
• Prescribing tools 

NL Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee 

Eastern Health has developed an Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee. This is a multidisciplinary committee with engagement with partners and stakeholders that meets monthly and works to promote appropriate antimicrobial use through optimal selection of the antimicrobial agent as well as optimal dosage and duration of treatment. For more information, please reach out to the co-chairs, gerry.mcdonald@easternhealth.ca or peter.daley@easternhealth.ca.  

Following are links to select articles: 

• Wheeler E.D., McDonald, G., and Daley, P. (2021) Appropriateness of antibiotic use in community hospitals in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Official Journal of the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada 2021 6:2, 114-118 
• Doyle D, McDonald G, Pratt C, Rehan Z, Benteau T, Phillips J, et al. (2021) Impact of a mobile decision support tool on antimicrobial stewardship indicators in St. John’s, Canada. PLoS ONE 16(6): e0252407. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252407  
• German, G. J., Frenette, C., Caissy, J. A., Grant, J., Lefebvre, M. A., Mertz, D., Lutes, S., McGeer, A., Roberts, J., Afra, K., Valiquette, L., Émond, Y., Carrier, M., Lauzon-Laurin, A., Nguyen, T. T., Al-Bachari, H., Kosar, J., Peermohamed, S., Science, M., Landry, D., … Thirion, D. J. G. (2021). The 2018 Global Point Prevalence Survey of antimicrobial consumption and resistance in 47 Canadian hospitals: a cross-sectional survey. CMAJ open, 9(4), E1242–E1251. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20200274  
• Penney, C.C., Boyd S.E., Mansfield, A., Dalton, J., O’Keefe, Daley, P. (2018). Antimicrobial use and suitability in long-term care facilities: A retrospective cross-sectional study. Official Journal of the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada 2018 3:4, 209-216. DOI: 10.3138/jammi.2018-0021