Related Experiment Videos
Prophylactic antibiotic in labor and delivery
The use of antibiotics to prevent infections during pregnancy and the puerperium is clearly different from the use of antibiotics to treat established infections. Prophylactic antibiotics are frequently prescribed on an "empiric" basis, which for many years was thought to have few adverse consequences. Concerns about the emergence of resistant strains of common bacteria, in addition to the emergence of strains with increased virulence, have resulted in increased scrutiny of the use of antibiotics, particularly in the hospital setting. Cost considerations also affect the use and choice of prophylactic agents. The purpose of this Practice Bulletin is to present a review of clinical situations in which prophylactic antibiotics are frequently prescribed and to weigh the evidence supporting the use of antibiotics in these scenarios.
The use of antibiotics to prevent infections during pregnancy and the puerperium is clearly different from the use of antibiotics to treat established infections. Prophylactic antibiotics are frequently prescribed on an "empiric" basis, which for many years was thought to have few adverse consequences. Concerns about the emergence of resistant strains of common bacteria, in addition to the emergence of strains with increased virulence, have resulted in increased scrutiny of the use of antibiotics, particularly in the hospital setting. Cost considerations also affect the use and choice of prophylactic agents. The purpose of this Practice Bulletin is to present a review of clinical situations in which prophylactic antibiotics are frequently prescribed and to weigh the evidence supporting the use of antibiotics in these scenarios.
Related Concept Videos
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...