What is your opinion of the current state of antibiotic prescribing?
Physician time pressures coupled with patients' 'pill-for-the-ill' mentality lead to the over prescribing of antibiotics which then, ultimately, led to the development of deadly antibiotic-resistant strains. We need to do better. We need to 'first, do no harm', by avoiding antibiotics in viral upper respiratory tract infections and supplant this behavior with patient education and evidence-based non-pharmaceutical interventions.
What antibiotic stewardship tools do you use at your medical practice?
I use 'Get Smart' CDC posters in the exam rooms along with check list handouts with OTC and natural remedy options for symptom management. I'm thinking about using some physical props in the future to show the relative sizes of bacteria and viruses as well.
Dr. John Selle practices in San Francisco and is affiliated with St. Mary's Medical Center and California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) | Sutter Health.
San Francisco, CA 94117 b/t Stanyan St & Shrader St
