LANSING, Mich. — The introduction of penicillin, the first true antibiotic, in the 1940s was considered one of the largest breakthroughs in medical history. Before penicillin became available, there were no treatment options for bacterial infections such as pneumonia and blood poisoning from wounds.
In the past 80 years, the antibiotic scene has changed to include different options that are affordable and widely available. However, as much good as antibiotics have done, there is a startling new epidemic on the horizon that Brett Dragomer, antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist at McLaren Greater Lansing, is trying to get ahead of.
“There is a sweet spot of making sure the patient is getting the right treatment dosage and for the right amount of time, without overuse of antibiotics, which can lead to a global threat,” said Dragomer. “After reviewing a patient’s chart, I can help determine if it’s time to switch from IV to oral antibiotics. I can also help determine if a patient needs less, more, or a different antibiotic.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that each year in the US, at least 2 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection. The antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing these infections are a result of antibiotic overuse, which is common in our country.
“There can be a ‘better safe than sorry’ mentality when it comes to antibiotics,” said Dragomer. “However, in the long run this can be harmful to our entire population. Patients should only be taking antibiotics if they are needed; otherwise, it can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
This new position at McLaren Greater Lansing was created to keep the community and patients safe. Through education, having more resources available, and writing better policies and protocols, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians are looking to manage antibiotics more effectively.
“The collaboration between physicians, nurses, and pharmacists has been great, and the teamwork here is amazing,” said Dragomer. “At the end of the day everyone wants to make sure the patient is taken care of
them here.”
