Description

Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed medication in nursing facilities, with up to 70% of nursing home patients receiving one or more courses of antibiotics in a year. Serious effects are significant for frail and older adults including adverse drug events and interactions, colonization and resistance and serious diarrheal infections from Clostridium difficle. Antibiotic stewardship is designed to improve antibiotic use in order to reduce adverse events, prevent emergence of resistance and lead to better outcomes. This 3-hour educational training  will cover the core elements of antibiotic stewardship for nursing homes which are: Leadership, Accountability, Drug expertise, Action, Tracking, Reporting and Education. In addition, Decision making tools, use of the SBAR, Assessment, and Antibiotic Alternatives will be explored in this educational opportunity. 

The presenter, Cathy Young, is an RN and is board certified in Gerontology (ANCC) as well as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. In addition, she is Wound Care Certified (WCC), QAPI certified professional (QCP), RAC-CT/RAC-CTA (MDS certification), DNS Certified (AAPACN), an Infection Prevention Control Officer, and a Legal Nurse Consultant. Cathy will provide education, materials, information for establishing/reinforcing your Antibiotic Stewardship Program and support that the attendee can utilize to improve clinical outcomes, manage resources, improve skill sets, reduce risk and meet regulatory requirements.