The use of antibiotics and the subject of antibiotic resistance is one of the hot topics in medicine today, including dentistry. A recent news briefing by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) touched on that subject and discussed new infection control guidelines for regional anesthesia and pain management.
During the news conference, a study (published on January 21) was highlighted that includes guidelines, developed over four years by 22 authors, that aim to reduce infection incidence and improve management. The guidelines cover preoperative to postoperative stages, including procedures like regional anesthesia, nerve blocks, and implantable pain therapies.
"We know from the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that they believe that about 50% of all surgical site infections are preventable if we had followed best practices," Dr. David Provenzano, president of ASRA, said. "And so the impetus of this is to inform practitioners of best practices to improve patient outcomes."
The guidelines provide several recommendations to help clinicians optimize antibiotic use and prevent antibiotic resistance by:
- Emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic dosing, specifically recommending weight-based dosing. This ensures clinicians reach the minimum inhibitory concentrations needed to effectively treat infections, rather than underdosing.
- Recommending timely administration of antibiotics, particularly in the preoperative setting. Providing antibiotics at the right time relative to the procedure can improve their effectiveness in preventing surgical site infections.
- Cautioning against prolonged postoperative antibiotic use in the absence of an identified infection. Unnecessary extended antibiotic courses can contribute to antibiotic resistance development.
- Promoting antibiotic stewardship by providing evidence-based guidance on appropriate antibiotic use. This helps clinicians be judicious in their antibiotic prescribing, which is crucial to preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms.
The study's authors hope that by following the recommendations in the ASRA Pain Medicine guidelines, clinicians can optimize antibiotic use and combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. For more information, visit ASRA's website.
