infection Prevention
IP
1 4 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A R C H 2 0 1 6
Evidence is growing, says the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, that
antibiotic stewardship programs can opti-
mize the treatment of infections and
reduce adverse events associated with
antibiotic use. If your facility doesn't have
a stewardship program, and is looking for
a place to start, the CDC has a guide
called "Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic
Stewardship Programs"
(osmag.net/kkRB9X). Most large aca-
demic hospitals have such programs in
place, but many community hospitals and
surgery centers do not. Stewardship begins
with these key elements, says the CDC:
• Leadership commitment. Leaders need to buy in and be willing to dedicate all necessary
resources.
• Accountability. There should be one leader, typically a physician.
• Drug expertise. A pharmacist leader should be responsible for improving antibiotic use.
• Action. You might require prescribers to document in the medical record, or during order
entry, the dose, duration, and indication for all antibiotic prescriptions.
• Tracking. Monitor antibiotic prescribing and resistance patterns.
• Reporting. Regularly reported to doctors, nurses and relevant staff information on antibi-
otic use and resistance.
• Education. Clinicians should be educated about resistance and optimal prescribing.
— Jim Burger
STEWARDSHIP
Does Your Facility Overprescribe Antibiotics?
