Antibiotic Stewardship, 2nd Edition

Course Overview The introduction of antibiotics into the practice of medicine has transformed the lives of millions of people. Infections that were once lethal are now easily treatable, and medical advances have been able to move forward through the use of antibiotics. Unfortunately, approximately 30% of all antibiotics administered in hospitals in the United States have been deemed either unnecessary or inappropriate (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024a). The misuse of antibiotics has contributed to increases in the rates of Clostridium difficile infections and adverse reactions to antibiotics, as well as the development of resistant strains of bacteria. The CDC estimates that approximately 35,000 deaths annually are caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms (CDC, 2024b). Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics is considered a significant public health and patient safety issue. An increasing amount of evidence supports the use of antibiotic stewardship programs to enhance the treatment of infections and decrease adverse events associated with the use of antibiotics. Antibiotic stewardship programs can help prescribers improve patient safety and the quality of patient care by improving infection cure rates, decreasing the rate of treatment failures, increasing the rate of correct antibiotic prescribing, reducing hospital rates of antibiotic resistance and C. difficile infections, as well as increasing cost savings (CDC, 2024a, 2024b). Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to: Discuss the seven core elements of a successful antibiotic stewardship program and their implementation in hospitals, small and critical access hospitals, and nursing homes Describe interventions to improve the use of antibiotics, including broad interventions, pharmacy-driven interventions, and infection-specific interventions Explain methods used to track and measure antibiotic use and outcomes

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.