VIPTA is a statewide infection prevention and control education collaborative, led by the Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Group. Through partnership, VIPTA curates IPC resources for Virginia’s healthcare, congregate care, and public health settings.
Antibiotic Mythbusters! Can You Set the Record Straight?
Some antibiotic myths are easy to spot. Others contain just enough truth to be convincing. With the right facts and a little curiosity, you can help others make informed decisions about antibiotic use.
Spot the Myth! ‘Every positive urine culture needs to be treated with antibiotics.’
- Bust the Myth! Diagnosis of a UTI requires both finding bacteria in a urine test and the presence of specific symptoms. Having both is important, because bacteria can live naturally in the bladder without causing any pain or symptoms.
- Find the Facts:
- Suspect a UTI? Know When to Use Antibiotics from the Fairfax County Health Department is a patient-friendly guide to understanding when antibiotics are needed.
- Treating Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: No Benefit, Possible Harm from the Fairfax County Health Department is a guide for healthcare providers on when to treat bacteria in the urine.
Spot the Myth! “I don’t prescribe antibiotics, so antibiotic resistance isn’t my problem.”
- Bust the Myth! Drug-resistant germs don’t stay in one place! They can spread between patients, residents, staff, and healthcare settings. Everyone can help stop their spread. Hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfection, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use all play a part.
- Find the Facts:
- How Drug-resistant Germs Spread from the CDC explains how resistant germs spread in healthcare settings and the community.
- Disinfecting Done Right from CDC Project Firstline is a micro-learn on proper disinfectant use and contact time.
How to Bust Myths in Your Workplace
- Start a myth-busting huddle. Share a myth and ask staff, “What would you say?” Practice friendly responses and use trusted resources to explore the facts together.
- Make the facts easy to find. Share the patient handout in waiting areas or add the CDC infographic to staff newsletters and breakroom boards.
Target Audience: Essential & Foundational IPC Education Level
Strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship, One Partnership at a Time
During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (November 18–24), we’re celebrating two public health leaders who are improving antibiotic use in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) across Northern Virginia.
Sahar AlHarazi, Epidemiologist at the Loudoun County Health Department and Christina Chommanard, Epidemiology Supervisor at the Alexandria Health Department, are expanding the Strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SASS) Program. They build strong partnerships and tailor support to local needs.
Sahar has introduced the program in one Loudoun County SNF and is actively engaging additional facilities. She listens closely to staff, learns about their challenges, and provides practical support without adding extra paperwork.
Christina has introduced the program in two SNFs in Alexandria. One facility is fully participating and preparing to share antibiotic use data, and she is engaging additional facilities. She has also strengthened SASS training materials, developed local resources, and launched the Antimicrobial Stewardship Kickstart (ASK) Program.
Both leaders work closely with Fairfax County SASS Program Coordinator Taylor Crosby and Scale-up Coordinator Mamata Kamat, who provide technical support and help facilities put the program into practice.
Their work shows that stewardship succeeds when people build trust, understand local needs, and make proven practices easier to use. Cheers to Sahar and Christina for helping facilities improve antibiotic use and protect residents!
Getting Started Tips
- Build relationships. Talk with facility leaders and frontline staff.
- Listen first. Fit each effort to the facility’s needs and daily work.
- Start small. Choose realistic steps, then build on success.
- Keep tools useful. Adjust resources to meet local needs.
- Use data. Track antibiotic use in a simple way and use results to improve.
Helpful Resource: Fairfax County Health Department’s Strengthening Antimicrobial Stewardship Program offers tools for SNF stewardship programs.
