Antibiotic stewardship sits at the front line of the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Patient perceptions and expectations, practitioner clinical uncertainty and practice culture may all be barriers to antibiotic stewardship.
Upper respiratory tract infections have higher rates of prescribing than would be expected according to local guidelines.
Expectations of antibiotics may reflect a desire for symptomatic treatment, lack of awareness of other options or previous experience.
Australia has good antibiotic regulation and guidelines but must invest in sustained primary care stewardship programs.
The National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy is Australia’s commitment to the health of future generations.
A man aged 88 years was referred to a geriatric clinic for falls evaluation.
Antimicrobial resistance rates are higher in Australian residential aged care facilities than other community or hospital settings.
Within the first six years of life, 8.4% of girls and 1.7% of boys are diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.