Antibiotics and their role in Managing
Infections
Published: 2008
Overview
Due to the growing emergence of resistant organisms and healthcare-associated infections, the
correct and appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials has become increasingly important. It is
thought that antimicrobial prescribing has a direct link to resistance, as choice and duration of
therapy can cause new breeding strains to develop.
The introduction of this pack advises that answers to questions in that section and other activities,
can be found on the CPPE website. As a pharmacist/technician living in Scotland you cannot
access the CPPE website, and so the pdf document referred to is accessible via the NES website
(http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/pharmacy/resources )
Introduction
Due to the growing emergence of resistant organisms and healthcare-associated infections, the
correct and appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials has become increasingly important. It is
thought that antimicrobial prescribing has a direct link to resistance, as choice and duration of
therapy can cause new breeding strains to develop.

Advise on antimicrobial therapy.

Ensure that antimicrobial use is appropriate.

Monitor antimicrobial use.

Select antimicrobials according to patient needs.
Topics
The topics covered in this pack include:

Antimicrobial agents

Selecting an antimicrobia.

Antimicrobial prophylaxis

Antimicrobial monitoring

Patient issues

Managing infections through the pharmacy

Challenges in practice
Hours
Pack takes 11 hours to complete