Archbold is participating in U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, which runs from November 18-24, alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other hospitals across the country. The event highlights the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and emphasizes the need for responsible use of antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance has become a growing concern nationwide, making infections more difficult to treat and increasing risks associated with routine medical care. Raising awareness about this issue is seen as an important step to protect patients and communities.
At Archbold, antimicrobial stewardship is practiced daily. Several staff members shared their perspectives on antibiotic awareness and their roles at the hospital.
Jasmine Mutti, MD, from Archbold Infectious Diseases, explained: “Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, infectious diseases accounted for high mortality worldwide. Developing resistance due to antibiotic misuse can push us again at the brink of that era where we are left with no effective treatments. That, along with greater understanding of importance of gut microbiome and its interactions with complex medical conditions should be a case for all of us to be antibiotic aware.”
Geren Thomas, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP, Infectious Diseases Pharmacist at Archbold described his responsibilities: “I review all patients on antibiotics to assure appropriate use. I serve as a resource to physicians, midlevels, pharmacists, and nurses for any questions they may have regarding antibiotics or infections. I coordinate transitions of care for patients leaving our hospital on antimicrobials, and I work with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee to establish antibiotic policies system-wide.“
Raybun Spelts, PharmD, BCIDP, MPH shared details about his training: “I am a board-certified infectious disease pharmacy specialist and a graduate of the University of Georgia’s dual-degree PharmD–MPH program. I have antibiotic stewardship experience across hospital, outpatient, and long-term care settings. As the former infectious disease and vaccine specialist pharmacist for the Georgia Department of Public Health, I provided antibiotic stewardship consultations to numerous Georgia hospitals and helped establish an annual educational conference for the state’s critical-access hospitals.”
Mike Washington, RN Infection Control Nurse at Archbold advised patients: “Take antibiotics as prescribed and complete the full course of medication even if you begin to feel better.”
Sara E. Mirabal Costas MHA MLS (ASCP)CM CPP (ADLM), Microbiology Lab Supervisor at Archbold said: “We, in the microbiology department and as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, isolate organisms from patient specimens for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We are ambassadors of the provider’s answers to an infection.”
More information about U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and CDC efforts can be found by visiting bit.ly/USAAW2025.
