Busting Myths for Better Antibiotic Stewardship

In community hospitals, healthcare professionals repeatedly encounter common misconceptions regarding antibiotic use, leading to ineffective treatment practices. Key myths include the belief that antibiotics do no harm, the necessity of prolonged antibiotic durations of 7, 14, and 21 days, and the notion that combining multiple antibiotics is always beneficial. Other misconceptions include the assumption that intravenous antibiotics are essential for hospitalized patients and the belief that the presence of bacteria in urine automatically indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI). Additionally, there is a widespread misunderstanding that a history of penicillin allergy prohibits the use of beta-lactam antibiotics. Addressing these myths is crucial for improving antibiotic stewardship and treatment outcomes in these settings.