Join the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance impacts all global regions and populations. Highmark Wholecare asks our network providers to help us promote the proper use of antibiotics to fight accelerating antibiotic resistance among the population. While this resistance does occur naturally, the inappropriate use of antibiotics will also reduce the efficacy of antibiotics, causing common infections to become more serious and persistent.

Several infections have been impacted by the overuse of antibiotics such as: gonorrhea, salmonellosis, and pneumonia, resulting in longer hospital stays, increased medical costs, and even mortality rate increases. Additionally, research shows an increased amount of evidence that antibiotics are used improperly when treating a wide range of other illnesses. For example, studies have shown that more than half of prescribed antibiotics are not necessary.

Antibiotics are commonly sought after for illnesses caused by viruses rather than bacteria such as colds, sore throat, whooping cough, and urinary tract infections. Pharyngitis is a condition for which antibiotics are often erroneously prescribed - more than 80% of cases that are viral-based are treated with an antibiotic. Similarly, when treating Otitis Media in children, antibiotics are often prescribed even if the benefits do not outweigh the drawbacks of common adverse events.

Health care professionals have a duty to only prescribe antibiotics when necessary, educate patients on how to take antibiotics properly, and encourage patients to engage in behaviors that prevent infections, such as proper handwashing, vaccinations, and practicing safe sex. Please join us in encouraging patients to only use antibiotics as prescribed and to follow provider direction when antibiotics are deemed unnecessary.