Infect Chemother.  2012 Oct;44(5):331-337. 10.3947/ic.2012.44.5.331.

The Meaning and Impact of Appropriate Use of Antibiotics

• Choi JH

• KMID: 2170376
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2012.44.5.331

Abstract

Antibiotics, one of the most successful drugs in medicine, dramatically altered the prognoses of patients with bacterial infections. With faith in that power, antibiotics have been used thoughtlessly as therapy or prophylaxis for several decades. Improper or inadequate use of these miracle drugs accelerated the appearance of resistance and aided spread of bad bugs. Resistance is a global problem; therefore, appropriate use of antibiotics is now a global concern. Decreasing unnecessary use of antibiotics in primary care clinics and amending inadequate use in teaching hospitals are essential in the fight against resistance. Many approaches to this fight, including a nationwide campaign, governmental policies, guidelines for antibiotic use, and antibiotic restriction systems have already been settled in many countries, including Korea. Although resistance is a critical problem now and will be even more of a problem in the future, antibiotics are not drugs we can throw away. The only way to overcome this threat is wise use of antibiotics.

Keyword

Antibiotics; Appropriate; Mortality; Resistance

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacterial Infections
Hospitals, Teaching
Humans
Korea
Primary Health Care
Prognosis
Anti-Bacterial Agents