Abstract
Infectious diseases are one of the most common reasons for a general practioner visit, while in hospitals, antibiotics are used for treatment or prophylaxis on average in one third of patients. In the era of increasing antibiotic resistance, the rational approach to the use of antibiotics is becoming more important.
The overall reduction in antibiotic consumption and the change in approach to use may reduce the selection pressure for resistance and help maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics. The bes practises for treating infectious diseases are one of the tools of rational antibiotic policy.
Guidelines must be based on representative evidence-based data and respect national trends in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Knowledge of best practices and respecting them are essential tool for influencing the use of antibiotics.
In the Czech Republic, an expert advice on antibiotic treatment is provided by antibiotic centers. Moreover, the role antibiotic centers is irreplaceable in gathering evidene for the development of best pracitces for antibiotic therapy.