The State of Kansas is one of leading states in the nation in prescribing antibiotics.  In 2015, more than 900 antibiotic prescriptions were written per 1,000 individuals statewide.  However, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are warning the entire health care community about the danger that antibiotics use  is leading to growing resistance to the drugs.  To put a spotlight on the problem, this week has been declared “U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week.” In Kansas a multidisciplinary team is working on an education campaign to help stem inappropriate use of antibiotics.  

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, infectious disease specialist at The University of Kansas Health System, says the goal is not to stop using antibiotics, but to use them only when necessary and appropriate.  Dr. Hawkinson says more than five million people get antibiotic resistant infections every year and 23,000 of them die annually.e.is calling on the health care community to protect patients everywhere from growing resistance to antibiotics.  In the video below, Dr. Hawkinson says both caregivers and the public need to be aware of the risks of over-prescribing.  He explains when antibiotics can be effective and when they can’t.