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Consumer Voice Executive Director Speaks at White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship

June 09, 2015

Antibiotic resistance is on the rise and is an increasing threat to the nation’s long-term care population.  Many people depending upon long-term care services are at risk for infections and may have compromised immune response. Because bacteria can mutate, the more antibiotics are used, the more likely that some bacteria will develop the ability to survive and pose danger to people. For that reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made antibiotic stewardship a public health priority. Antibiotic stewardship includes efforts to only use antibiotics when they are shown to be necessary and effective to treat an infection, not necessarily to prevent one.

Last week, CDC helped organize the first White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship which included representatives from both human health and animal health sectors.  At a session on long-term care, Consumer Voice executive director Richard Gelula provided a brief presentation. He emphasized the need to address underlying conditions in the nation’s nursing homes, including inadequate staffing and hygiene, as a first step in preventing infection and achieving effective use of antibiotics.

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