World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

Preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics — a collective effort

Each year, World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of using these essential medications responsibly. Antimicrobial resistance—when bacteria and other microorganisms are no longer killed by antimicrobials—is a growing threat to public health worldwide.

At the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) is at the heart of the fight against this phenomenon. Its goal is to ensure the safe, effective, and judicious use of antibiotics through education, research, surveillance, and clinical support.

A daily clinical challenge

MUHC clinicians face a complex dilemma: choosing between prescribing the most powerful antibiotic for a patient or preserving these essential medications to protect the community as a whole.

“Antimicrobial resistance is a complex and growing problem. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we are trying to limit its impact on patient care and the community,” said François Bourdeau, Pharmacist, Co-Chair and Coordinator of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. 

As Dr. Makeda Semret, Chair of the ASP, notes: "Antimicrobial resistance is constantly evolving, and medical practices are dynamic—an antimicrobial stewardship program must therefore be built not as a series of temporary interventions, but as an essential and ongoing component of healthcare delivery. A culture of responsible antimicrobial use must be adopted by our entire community and practiced daily by experts who combine scientific data with pragmatism."

An internal analysis shows that approximately one-third of antibiotic prescriptions at the MUHC may be inappropriate or excessive. To address this issue, the ASP team—composed of infectious disease specialists and pharmacists—conducts regular audits and provides real-time feedback to clinical teams.

The result: Recommendations to discontinue antibiotics were made in 38 per cent of the cases reviewed, promoting more targeted and safer use.

Innovation and research: The MUHC at the forefront 

The MUHC also stands out for its use of a cutting-edge clinical support tool that quickly identifies patients on antimicrobials and provides real-time results to streamline drug management in real time. 

In addition, the ASP team recently secured a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship interventions in MUHC intensive care units—an innovative project known as the BAST_ICU trial.

Preserving antimicrobials means protecting everyone's health

The fight against antimicrobial resistance requires a collective effort. Thanks to the commitment of its ASP Committee, clinicians, and researchers, the MUHC plays a key role in preserving these vital treatments—for today’s patients and for future generations.

Thanks to the ongoing commitment of the ASP team and all staff, resistance rates at the MUHC remain low and stable.