AMR in Windsor-Essex
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical public health concern across Ontario. Windsor-Essex County has one of the highest rates of community antibiotic prescription in the province, highlighting the importance of ongoing stewardship initiatives to optimize prescribing and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Opportunities in Public Health to Improve Antibiotic Use in Ontario (Public Health Ontario)
- Overview of Ontario-wide antibiotic prescribing trends and key actions for public health and prescribers to strengthen stewardship.
Download PDF
Public Health Can Help Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing Variability and Support Antimicrobial Stewardship (Infographic)
- Visual summary highlighting the importance of reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and the role of public health units and clinicians.
Download PDF
Prescribing Guidelines (Choosing Wisely Canada)
These handouts and tools support patient communication, help reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, and encourage evidence-based prescribing in community and outpatient settings.
- Firstline x AMMI Canada (Canadian Antibiotic Treatment Guidance)
Download PDF - Choosing Wisely Canada: Respiratory Tract Infection Toolkit
- National primary care toolkit outlining when antibiotics are indicated for RTIs, recommended durations, and communication strategies using viral and delayed prescription tools.
Download PDF
- National primary care toolkit outlining when antibiotics are indicated for RTIs, recommended durations, and communication strategies using viral and delayed prescription tools.
- Viral Prescription Pad – Adult
- A patient handout explaining why antibiotics are not indicated for viral respiratory infections and outlining recommended self-care approaches.
Download PDF
- A patient handout explaining why antibiotics are not indicated for viral respiratory infections and outlining recommended self-care approaches.
- Viral Prescription Pad – Pediatric
- Designed for children three months and older. Helps parents understand when antibiotics are unnecessary and provides guidance on managing viral illnesses safely.
Download PDF
- Designed for children three months and older. Helps parents understand when antibiotics are unnecessary and provides guidance on managing viral illnesses safely.
- Delayed Prescription Pad
- A tool to support delayed prescribing when antibiotics may be needed only if symptoms persist. Encourages patient self-monitoring and safe antibiotic use.
Download PDF
- A tool to support delayed prescribing when antibiotics may be needed only if symptoms persist. Encourages patient self-monitoring and safe antibiotic use.
- Strategies to Improve Antibiotic Use in Primary Care: Audit and Feedback
- Practical guide outlining how to use practice data and peer comparison to identify and reduce inappropriate prescribing.
Download PDF
- Practical guide outlining how to use practice data and peer comparison to identify and reduce inappropriate prescribing.
Long-Term Care (LTC) Tools
These tools help LTC teams promote appropriate antibiotic use, reduce unnecessary urine testing, and improve resident outcomes.
- Antimicrobial Stewardship Essentials Checklist in Long-Term Care (Public Health Ontario)
- Step-by-step checklist for LTC facilities to build or strengthen an antimicrobial stewardship program, covering leadership, diagnostics, and prescriber engagement
Download PDF
- Step-by-step checklist for LTC facilities to build or strengthen an antimicrobial stewardship program, covering leadership, diagnostics, and prescriber engagement
- UTI Program: Implementation Guide (Public Health Ontario)
- Comprehensive guide for LTC facilities to implement a UTI stewardship initiative, including staff education, data tracking, and process improvement templates.
Download PDF
- Comprehensive guide for LTC facilities to implement a UTI stewardship initiative, including staff education, data tracking, and process improvement templates.
- Duration of Antibiotic Treatment for Common Infections in LTC (Public Health Ontario)
- Evidence summary supporting shorter antibiotic durations for common infections (e.g., cystitis, cellulitis, pneumonia) to reduce resistance and adverse effects.
Download PDF
- Evidence summary supporting shorter antibiotic durations for common infections (e.g., cystitis, cellulitis, pneumonia) to reduce resistance and adverse effects.
- Symptom-Free Pee: LET IT BE (Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Poster) (AMMI Canada)
- Poster for staff areas, reinforcing that residents without urinary symptoms should not be tested or treated for a UTI.
Download PDF
- Poster for staff areas, reinforcing that residents without urinary symptoms should not be tested or treated for a UTI.