James talks to Dr Rebecca Davis about the use of antibiotics to prevent or treat infections on the wards.
Summary Writer: Duncan Campbell
Script Writer:. Duncan Campbell
Editor: James Edwards
Interviewee: Rebecca Davis
Rebecca is a Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She has an interest in infections in immunocompromised patients and has been involved in teaching about rational use of antibiotics over many years.
With Dr Rebecca Davis, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Consultant at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Antibiotics are typically prescribed in one of two different scenarios:
To prevent infection, prophylactic antibiotics should target the most likely micro-organisms that pose risk to the patient, and for the shortest duration possible.
To treat suspected or confirmed infection, you should first try to find a focus (e.g. respiratory, urinary) and consider the severity of infection.
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