ANTIBIOTICS FOR NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS - WHEN ARE THEY APPROPRIATE

Antibiotics are used often in nursing homes in response to high rates of infection. Physicians and nursing home administrators and staff nee d to work in concert to avoid inappropriate prescription of antibiotic s in this setting. Physicians need to know how infection presents in f rail, institutionalized elderly patients; strive to prevent infection; and prescribe antibiotics only in situations in which clear benefit h as been demonstrated. Nursing home administrators and staff must insti tute comprehensive infection control programs, adopt specific guidelin es for antibiotic use, and keep physicians informed about the number a nd types of infections and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.