Rational Use of Antibiotics in the ER

By: Beth Davidow, DVM, DACVECC

Description: We know that overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance. We also know that not using the right antibiotics fast enough can increase mortality in septic patients. How do we then problem solve when to go fast and when to go slow? How do we choose antibiotics with different types of cases? This presentation will give concrete ideas on initial patient assessment, evidence based choices for different disease, and diagnostics that can help with antibiotic choice.

By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. Understand which patient presentations indicate that antibiotics should be given as rapidly as possible.
2. Become familiar with the ISCAID antibiotic guidelines for urinary, respiratory, and skin diseases.
3. Describe the evidence for and against using antibiotics in patients with diarrhea.

Speaker Info: Dr. Davidow is one of the co-founders of Timberline Veterinary Emergency and Specialty in Seattle, WA. She has previously been on faculty at Washington State University, is past president of ACVECC, and has been one of the Emergency medicine consultants for VIN since 2002. When she has time, she writes the blog, The Veterinary Idealist.