FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, April 09, 2015
CONTACT:  Angela Jackley, (605) 773-3737 

 

National Plan To Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Released; State Health Department, Health Care Partners Already At Work

 

PIERRE, S.D. – A newly-launched federal plan will soon require states to take specific steps to reduce antibiotic resistance but South Dakota is already working on the issue says a state health official.

 

The new federal requirements call for antibiotic stewardship programs in all acute care hospitals, reductions of inappropriate antibiotic use in outpatient and inpatient settings, and programs in each state to monitor multidrug resistant organisms and assist healthcare facilities.

 

“South Dakota is well-positioned to meet these requirements. We’ve been working on these issues since 2013 when we came together with health care partners across the state to form the South Dakota Antimicrobial Stewardship Workgroup,” said Angela Jackley, healthcare-associated infections coordinator for the department. “Antibiotic-resistant bacteria infect more than two million Americans every year and are responsible for more than 23,000 deaths so this is a critically important issue.” 

 

Workgroup members represent Avera Health, Regional Health, Sanford Health, hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, the South Dakota Infection Control Council, the South Dakota Pharmacy Association, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, the USD Sanford School of Medicine, the Indian Health Service and the Department of Health.

 

Jackley said the members have worked statewide to improve antibiotic prescribing and make sure antibiotics are used only when really needed so they remain effective. Efforts have included training for health providers on drug resistance and appropriate use of antibiotics, development of clinical guidelines to address antibiotic overprescribing in outpatient settings, monitoring multidrug resistant organisms, and working with hospitals and clinics to reduce the use of broad spectrum antibiotics.

 

South Dakota’s efforts have been featured in a CDC publication on the subject and also on the antimicrobial stewardship website of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.