This online course will provide a concise lecture on the importance of antimicrobial stewardship. This course centers on a novel acronym for good stewardship of antibiotic prescription, the VETAHEAD’s RITES of passage. Clinical examples of the use of RITES of passage will be discussed with emphasis in zoological companion animals.
Additionally, the course will cover aspects of the importance of antibiotic stewardship, the dangers of antimicrobial resistance, will properly define the veterinary patient client relationship, discuss the importance of pursuing diagnostics prior to the prescription of antibiotics, following up, tracking and monitoring the health outcomes post antibiotic therapy. Prevention strategies and proper husbandry techniques, the importance of avoiding excessive use of antibiotics and excessive contamination of the environment, and the importance of basing antibiotic use and prescription on evidence-based medicine and proven scientific methodologies will also be covered during the course.
This course is aimed at veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals (technician, assistant, nurse) as well as students with a keen interest in preventing antimicrobial resistance.