CMA Foundation’s 2012 AWARE Provider Toolkit for the Cold and Flu Season

Healthcare providers know that antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as colds or flu, most coughs and acute bronchitis, sore throats not caused by strep, and runny noses. But some healthcare providers are still overprescribing antibiotics. We must continue educating the healthcare community, patients, and the public about when antibiotics work and when they do not.

To aid in these efforts, the CMA Foundation’s Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE) project has developed the 2012 AWARE Provider Toolkit for the cold and flu season. AWARE supports physicians’ efforts to promote appropriate antibiotic use, decrease the incidence of antibiotic resistance, and meet the HEDIS measures for the avoidance of antibiotic treatment in adults with acute bronchitis, as well as appropriate testing for children with pharyngitis.

The 2012 AWARE Provider Toolkit contains educational resources for providers, as well as resources to educate patients:

• 2012 Acute Respiratory Tract Infection Guideline Summary (Adult and Pediatric): A synopsis of appropriate diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of the most common respiratory infections.
• Prescription Pad (available in English and Spanish): A handout offering over-the-counter treatments that can help alleviate symptoms of colds.
• CDC Flyers:
  • Careful Antibiotic Use: Cough Illness in the Well-appearing Child; Acute Cough Illness (Acute Bronchitis) (English only).
  • Careful Antibiotic Use: Pharyngitis in Children (English only).
• Patient Education Materials (available in English and Spanish):
  • Health Tips: A handout providing tips to stay healthy, promoting proper antibiotic use, and encouraging frequent hand washing.
  • Bronchitis and Other Cough Illnesses: Adult and pediatric handouts containing useful homecare options and prevention tips.
  • I Choose … to Prevent Influenza! Adult and pediatric handouts containing information on influenza, how to prevent influenza, and what to do should one get sick.
  • Feel Better Soon … Without Antibiotics! Adult and pediatric brochures that identify common symptoms and remedies that can provide symptomatic relief.
• • Medical Office Posters (available in English and Spanish):
  • Feel Better Soon … Without Antibiotics! Adult and pediatric posters informing patients that viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics.

For more information about AWARE and additional materials regarding appropriate antibiotic use, please call the CMA Foundation at (916) 779-6620, email aware@thecmafoundation.org, or visit www.aware.md for additional clinical resources and patient education materials.