Get Smart for Healthcare in Hospitals and Long-Term Care

Studies indicate that 30-50% of antibiotics prescribed in hospitals are unnecessary or inappropriate. There is no doubt that overprescribing and misprescribing is contributing to the growing challenges posed by Clostridium difficile and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Studies demonstrate that improving prescribing practices in hospitals can not only help reduce rates of Clostridium difficile infection and antibiotic resistance, but can also improve individual patient outcomes, all while reducing healthcare costs. Get Smart for Healthcare is a CDC campaign focused on improving prescribing practices in inpatient healthcare facilities.