Antibiotic resistant bacteria has become an increasing concern for doctors, patients, and public health on a global scale. In the United States alone, thousands of deaths occur each year and over 2 million people acquire antibiotic resistant infections. Antibiotics are the main cause for the resistance and it is increasing at an alarmingly high rate.
According to the CDC, new data from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by the CDC shows 1 in 3 antibiotic prescriptions is unnecessary. Each year approximately 47 million excess antibiotics are prescribed and put patients at risk. These unnecessary prescriptions are given to patients who are infected with a virus that does not respond to antibiotics. Results from the study show half of antibiotics are prescribed for acute respiratory infections, such as the common cold, bronchitis, and viral sore throat, and may have been unnecessary. Between 2010 and 2011, 30 percent of antibiotic prescriptions were inappropriate.
This issue has caused so much attention that as of 2015 the Obama Administration started the White House National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB), which has the goal of reducing inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use by half by 2020. Lauri Hicks from the CDC states, "we must continue to work together across the entire health care continuum to make sure that antibiotics are prescribed only when needed, and when an antibiotic is needed that the right antibiotic, dose, and duration are selected."
The United States Congress has also set aside $160 million in funding to the CDC for a National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Their fist goal is to "slow the emergence of resistant bacteria and prevent the spread of resistant infections." With UVC disinfection technology, UVC Cleaning Systems can help reduce the spread and presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Health care professionals, health care systems, food production facilities, and individuals in the community can and need to take action to combat these 'Super Bacteria' and reduce the spread of infection.