Patient Education
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These patient handouts can be emailed to patients following a verbal conversation regarding antibiotic resistance education. Alternatively, you can post on your clinic website and email/text patients a direct link to handouts. Patients would rather not go searching for these handouts, so an email attachment or direct link to a PDF is preferred.
Symptoms Management (PDF): Patient handout to help patients understand symptom management does not always involve antibiotics. This handout is particularly useful for situations where patients request antibiotics for viral symptoms. Travel Preparedness and Antibiotics (PDF): Patient handout to help patients prepare for travel and understand their options for symptom management while traveling. This handout is meant to support clinicians' delayed decision to prescribe. Antibiotic Resistance Patient Education (PDF): Infographic to help educate patients on antibiotic resistance. This infographic serves as a follow-up keepsake after having a verbal conversation on antibiotic resistance. CDC Resources
Antibiotic Use Overview (PDF) – Two-page guide answering common patient questions about antibiotics, such as "when are antibiotics useful," "do antibiotics have side effects," and "what are antibiotic-resistant bacteria?" Antibiotic Side Effects (PDF) – Half-sheet highlighting common side effects caused by antibiotics. Antibiotic: Wrong Tool (PDF) – Flyer illustrating that antibiotics aren't always the right course of action. Antibiotics Aware Flyer (PDF) – Flyer covering eight ways that patients can be more aware of antibiotic usage. Antibiotic Facts Flyer (PDF) – Two-page guide providing general information about why antibiotics aren't always necessary, as well as a list of questions that patients should ask their physician. Bacteria Versus Viruses (PDF) – Half-sheet explaining that antibiotics can help treat infections caused by bacteria but cannot help if you have a virus. Commitment to Patients (PDF) – Letter to patients explaining how we'll do our best to prescribe antibiotics only when necessary. Influenza Vaccinations (PDF) – Two-page guide explaining why flu vaccines are necessary, how flu vaccines work, and who is at risk for serious complications from the flu. Respiratory Symptoms (PDF) – Chart showing common conditions, if they're caused by bacteria or a virus, and if antibiotics are needed. Respiratory Virus Guide (PDF) – Half-sheet giving tips on how to stay healthy and keep others healthy. |
SITE-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
Find institution-specific guidelines and clinical decision support tools for Northwestern Medicine hospitals and ambulatory care locations. 
INPATIENT RESOURCES
These resources are intended to help guide optimal use of diagnostics and antimicrobials for patients in the Northwestern Medicine health system. |
