AMA continues efforts to combat antibiotic resistance

With growing concerns over the global public health threat posed by antibiotic resistance, the American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted policy during its Interim meeting to help combat the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in all health care facilities. The new policy encourages improved surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, supports implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs across the spectrum of care and renews existing support for incentivizing antibiotic development.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 2 million people in the U.S. acquire serious bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections.