Daily News

Treatment plan can safely reduce antibiotic use in nursing homes

The inappropriate use of antimicrobials in healthcare facilities has long been recognized as an important problem, particularly in long-term care facilities. Important consequences of this include the emergence of bacterial resistance, side effects, and increased costs. A new study by McMaster researchers has found that the use of treatment guidelines in cases of suspected urinary tract infections resulted in fewer antibiotics given to patients in nursing homes. The study has been published as an online first article by the British Medical Journal at www.bmj.com.

Welcome program takes McMaster into the community

McMaster University is rolling out the welcome mat for new students and permanent residents in the neighbourhoods around the West Hamilton campus. Volunteers will be delivering welcome bags to 500 student homes in the local neighbourhoods. The bags include items such as the McMaster "Good Neighbour Guide," City garbage schedules for the area and information on recycling, a map outlining local businesses of interest to students, coupon book from the Westdale BIA, information from Volunteer Hamilton, and magnets with contact information for the Off-Campus Resource Centre (OCRC) and the Student Community Support Network (SNSN) with the McMaster Students Union (MSU).