The Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship
Adapt the CDC Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship into practical ways to initiate or expand antibiotic stewardship activities in nursing homes.
Nursing homes are encouraged to work in a step-wise fashion, implementing one or two activities to start and gradually adding new strategies from each element over time. Any action taken to improve antibiotic use is expected to reduce adverse events, prevent emergence of resistance, and lead to better outcomes for residents in this setting.
Improving the use of antibiotics in healthcare to protect patients and reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance is a national priority. Antibiotic stewardship refers to a set of commitments and actions designed to “optimize the treatment of infections while reducing the adverse events associated with antibiotic use.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all acute care hospitals implement an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) and outlined the seven core elements which are necessary for implementing successful ASPs. CDC also recommends that all nursing homes take steps to improve antibiotic prescribing practices and reduce inappropriate use.
Download the guides here:
Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship CHECKLIST: Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship
APPENDIX A: Policy and Practice Actions to Improve Antibiotic Use
APPENDIX B: Measures of Antibiotic Prescribing, Use and Outcomes
APPENDIX C: Data Sources, Elements, and Measures for Tracking Antibiotic Use