Join JUCM and the CDC to Get Involved—and Save Lives—During Antibiotic Awareness Week

You know the numbers—some 23,000 American die every year from drug-resistant infections, painting a clear but ugly picture of the effects of inappropriate use of antibiotics. You probably also know, fundamentally, that reducing the number of prescriptions written will help reduce that risk. The question of how to do so is a bit more challenging, especially now that cold and flu season is upon us and driving herds of antibiotic-seeking patients to your facility. Aware of this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is promoting Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 18–24. With a rallying cry of Get Involved, the CDC has constructed a dedicated webpage for clinicians, including resources you can use to educate patients (the U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week fact sheet, for example). JUCM is doing its part, too, by hosting a webinar entitled Antibiotic Stewardship in Urgent Care. Alike van der Velden, PhD will outline research she and colleagues at the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care conducted, and discuss overprescribing, underprescribing, antimicrobial resistance, and more on Tuesday, November 19, from 2 to 3 pm, Eastern. Registration is free.