Use of the Web By State and Territorial Public Health Jurisdictions to Promote Antimicrobial Stewardship

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is exacerbated by the overuse of antibiotics. Multifaceted interventions that include multiple strategies are necessary to slow the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The web is an attractive modality for dissemination of targeted resources. Little is known about the extent public health jurisdictions are using the web to promote antimicrobial stewardship. 

METHODS: During 2014 we collected web-based antimicrobial stewardship information in each of the 57 jurisdictions that submit data on nationally notifiable diseases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On each jurisdiction’s website, we searched the home page for links to information about appropriate antibiotic use on the site and links to external sites with such information. On each site, we recorded whether online resources included information targeted to specific audiences (e.g., pediatrics); whether there was link to CDC Get Smart website and availability of printable materials. We also sought for web-based clinical management guidelines for conditions that often result in antibiotic misuse (e.g., upper respiratory infections (URI), and data on prevalence of common antimicrobial infections.  

RESULTS: We accessed 55 of the 57 states and territories’ websites. Of the 55 sites, 85.45% had links to appropriate antibiotics use on the home page and had 34.5% provided links to external resources. While sites included information for multiple groups, 47.3% were for general public, 32.7% for pediatrics and 23.6%for outpatients, and 40% linked to the CDC’s Get Smart website. Twenty percent of the sites included printable resources and 12.73%, 34.5% URI guidelines, and 27.3% had state-specific data on prevalence antibiotic resistance infections.  

CONCLUSIONS: While most state and territories include some information about appropriate antibiotic use on their website, less than half provide targeted resources, offer practical information such as printable resources or surveillance data on prevalence of antimicrobial resistant infections. A collaborative approach that includes review of program specific web-based resources, objectives and target audience could enhance the value of the web as source for resources to promote antimicrobial stewardship.