Study: Even residents not taking antibiotics experience drug-resistance effects

Another reason to curb unnecessary antibiotic use in nursing homes: A new JAMA Internal Medicine study found that even the residents not taking the drugs experience their adverse affects. 

The study followed residents living in 607 nursing homes in Ontario, Canada. It found that antibiotic-related harm included Clostridium difficile, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, antibiotic-resistant organisms (which can affect non-recipients), allergic reactions, and general medication adverse effects. Moreover, these harmful effects were common in facilities that had a high use of antibiotics, and occurred even in residents that weren't taking the antibiotics themselves. "Antibiotic stewardship is needed to improve the safety of all nursing home residents," the study concluded.

Related articles:

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Groups commit to responsible antibiotic use

National plan attacks antibiotic-resistant infections

WHO addresses antimicrobial resistance

Megan Combs

Megan Combs was Associate Editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long Term Living from 2013-2018.