Antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly complex.

Pneumococcal bacteria, which cause respiratory illnesses, are showing a significant decrease in sensitivity to second-generation cephalosporins and macrolide antibiotics. This is a warning sign of increasingly complex antibiotic resistance.

Reduce spending on antibiotics.

The cost of antibiotics at Cho Ray Hospital has continuously decreased over the past 10 years, from 213 billion VND in 2013 to 15.7 billion VND in 2024. The ratio of antibiotic costs to total treatment drug costs decreased to 13% in 2024.

This information was provided by a representative from Cho Ray Hospital at a workshop evaluating the implementation of the National Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention and Control for the period 2023-2025, organized by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) on the afternoon of November 24th.

At Cho Ray Hospital, the rate of antibiotic use has decreased, and the quality of treatment is ensured.

PHOTO: LIEN CHAU

At the workshop, regarding solutions for rational antibiotic use, representatives from Cho Ray Hospital stated that treatment departments have signed commitments to prevent and control antibiotic resistance; the hospital has software for searching antibiotic usage guidelines; maintains control and determines the amount of antibiotics used throughout the hospital; determines the ratio of antibiotic costs to total medication costs; and analyzes non-compliant patient records.

Cases of non-adherence (dosage, duration, route of administration) to antibiotics were analyzed in detail to determine interventions and adjustments. Between 2015 and 2024, 22,720 patient records at Cho Ray Hospital were surveyed.

Simultaneously, the hospital deployed a team of clinical pharmacists to support doctors during ward rounds, advise on antibiotic use, monitor pre-prescription in clinical departments, and analyze and warn of sudden spikes in the use of strong, broad-spectrum antibiotics.

With comprehensive solutions, in 2024, the compliance rate for antibiotic use according to hospital guidelines reached 97.3% (compared to 63% in 2015); the compliance rate for prophylactic antibiotic use according to hospital guidelines reached 98.2%, compared to 14% in 2015.

The quality of treatment is ensured, with a good treatment outcome (elimination of infection and reduction of infection) of 88.5% in 2024.

Antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly complex.

Emphasizing the need for strong action to address antimicrobial resistance, this year's World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (AMR), from November 18-24, is themed "Act Now: Protect the Present, Secure the Future."

Accurate diagnosis of the causative agent helps in prescribing safe and appropriate antibiotics.

PHOTO: PHAM THAO

The WHO warns that adding antibiotics to animal feed, antibiotic leakage into the environment, water, and food, and using antibiotics without a doctor's prescription are all helping bacteria develop defense mechanisms (antibiotic resistance). Therefore, antibiotics should only be used when necessary and correctly, according to a doctor's prescription.

According to data from the National Children's Hospital, respiratory illnesses accounted for the highest number of hospitalizations from 2020 to 2024 and are trending upwards. The main bacteria causing pneumonia in children in Northern Vietnam are Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcus, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The majority of these strains have a high resistance rate to commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Therefore, in addition to adhering to antibiotic management and use guidelines, it is necessary to promote accurate diagnosis of the cause of the disease, helping to prescribe the right and sufficient antibiotics, and reducing antibiotic prescriptions for viral infections.

According to the Vietnam Otolaryngology Association, data shows that the respiratory-causing pneumococcal bacteria are significantly decreasing in sensitivity to second-generation cephalosporins and macrolide antibiotics. This is a warning sign of increasingly complex antibiotic resistance, requiring close coordination between microbiological testing and the rational selection of antibiotics in treatment.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health ), said that the antibiotic-resistant bacteria surveillance system currently involves 59 hospitals in provinces and cities and will be expanded to assess drug-resistant bacteria, thereby enabling more effective intervention measures.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khang-khang-sinh-ngay-cang-phuc-tap-185251124193037555.htm