NR 224 RUA Safety Goals Guidelines Fundamentals Skills
Introduction
RUA: Safety Goals Guidelines
The Speak Up brochure titled “Antibiotics- Know the Facts” (2021) from The Joint Commission is an essential tool to raise awareness about the dangers of antibiotic abuse. In this paper, I will summarize the brochure, evaluate its content, and share my reflections on its significance.
Summary
The Speak Up brochure titled “Antibiotics- Know the Facts” emphasizes the importance of appropriate antibiotic usage. These drugs can effectively treat bacterial diseases and save countless lives when used correctly (TJC, n.d.). However, the brochure highlights the issue of antibiotic abuse, wherein individuals misuse antibiotics by taking them for illnesses like colds and flu, which are caused by viruses and not bacteria.
NR 224 RUA Safety Goals Guidelines Fundamentals Skills
This misuse contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant infections, which affect two million Americans annually and result in twenty-three thousand deaths (TJC, n.d.). Furthermore, antibiotic abuse disrupts the balance of good bacteria in the body, making individuals more susceptible to health issues such as diarrhea or yeast infections. Patients must understand that improper antibiotic usage can lead to adverse reactions, potentially requiring hospitalization, especially among children. The brochure strongly encourages patients to continually seek a doctor’s prescription, take the prescribed dosage correctly, and avoid sharing their antibiotics with others.
Evaluation
The Joint Commission’s speak-up brochure focuses on raising awareness about crucial health issues, particularly antibiotic usage. This informative brochure is valuable for patients and medical professionals outside the realm of physicians. It begins by emphasizing the significance of antibiotics in saving countless lives, establishing the importance of the topic, and engaging readers’ attention. The brochure then delves into the adverse effects of antibiotic abuse, including the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, adverse bodily reactions, and increased susceptibility to other health problems.
Data reveals that two million people annually suffer from infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, leading to the loss of twenty-three thousand lives (TJC, n.d.). In developed countries like the United States, poor regulation at the hospital level and the overuse of antibiotics in food-producing animals are the primary factors contributing to resistance (Chokshi et al., 2019). This global concern of antimicrobial resistance places significant financial and clinical burdens on the healthcare sector, prompting organizations such as the WHO, FDA, and CDC to voice their concerns, identify potentially resistant bacteria, and call for collaborative efforts to combat this crisis.
NR 224 RUA Safety Goals Guidelines Fundamentals Skills
The brochure also addresses the types of diseases that antibiotics can and cannot treat, focusing on common infections like colds and flu, which people often attempt to self-medicate. This makes the brochure essential for patients with busy lifestyles who may find it challenging to visit a doctor and mothers dealing with various infections and diseases their children may encounter at school. Furthermore, the brochure lists crucial questions that patients should ask when prescribed antibiotics, including the necessity of the medication, the type of infection, dosage, expected outcomes, side effects, and related topics.
Encouraging patient engagement and awareness through these questions ultimately leads to better patient outcomes by facilitating appropriate treatment plans. The brochure reinforces its message through clear and concise dos and don’ts, providing patients with practical guidelines. Lastly, The Joint Commission emphasizes that antibiotics are expensive to produce, underscoring the importance of using available drugs correctly for present efficacy and preserving their effectiveness for future use. Consequently, the brochure encourages everyone to exercise caution in antibiotic usage to combat the rising cases of drug-resistant bacteria.
The brochure is exceptionally well-crafted, delivering crucial information in a clear, concise manner accessible to a broad audience. Its simplicity and brevity make it suitable for teaching even children, as it avoids overwhelming them with complex medical terminology and excessive data. However, to enhance its impact, The Joint Commission (TJC) could consider including information about diseases that have developed drug resistance or sharing short anecdotes about countries grappling with common illnesses. These additions would create a sense of urgency and allow readers to relate better to real-world issues that could affect them.
NR 224 RUA Safety Goals Guidelines Fundamentals Skills
Personal Reflection
I was compelled to choose this topic because it addresses immediate and pressing concerns that affect individuals personally. It is disheartening to witness friends and family members resorting to self-medication or neglecting their prescribed doses when they start feeling better. Additionally, the alarming rise of drug-resistant diseases and bacteria worldwide is a cause for great concern. It is troubling to realize that one may contract a common infectious illness only to struggle with its treatment due to the evolution of the bacteria causing it. From bronchitis and urinary tract infections to sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, bacterial diseases are becoming increasingly resistant to available medicines. I earnestly hope people will take this topic seriously and recognize the importance of responsible antibiotic usage.
Conclusion
Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global issue with both national and international implications. One significant contributing factor to this problem is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics by individuals and in healthcare settings. Patients must have a comprehensive understanding of antibiotics and their appropriate use, enabling them to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful discussions with their healthcare providers. The antibiotic speaks-up brochure developed by The Joint Commission is essential in raising awareness among patients and various healthcare stakeholders, fostering a collective effort to address this critical issue.
References
Chokshi, A. (2019). Global contributors to antibiotic resistance. Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 11(3), 131.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-777x.265390TJC.
(n.d.). Antibiotics Know the Facts. Leading the Way to Zero-The Joint Commission.
https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/for-consumers/speak-up-campaigns/antibiotics-know-the-facts/
