GETTING STARTED
 Review key published antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) literature:
 SHEA / IDSA / PIDS. Policy statement on antimicrobial stewardship by the Society for Healthcare
Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS). Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 2012;
33 (4): 322-327.

Dellit TH, Owens RC, McGowan JE, Gerding DN, Weinstein JPB, et al. IDSA and SHEA guidelines
for developing an institutional program to enhance antimicrobial stewardship. Clinical Infectious
Diseases 2007; 44: 159-77.

Septimus EJ, Owens RC Need and potential of antimicrobial stewardship in community hospitals.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 2011; 53 (S1): S8-S14.
 Look for clues of existing ASP elements:
 Microbiology lab:
o Develops or has access to a local antibiogram
 Pharmacy or pharmacy & therapeutics (P & T) committee:
o Selects antimicrobials that are available on the facility formulary
o Provides recommendations that reduce medication redundancy
o Advises about parenteral-to-oral medication conversions
 Medical leadership:
o Involvement in patient safety committees
o Reviews/debriefs on cases during morbidity and mortality rounds
 Infection prevention:
o Policies and procedures to prevent and control multidrug-resistant organisms
 Information technology:
o Ability to query electronic medical records
 Acquire access to antimicrobial use and microbiology data:
 Coordinate with necessary staff to access baseline data (e.g. antimicrobial budget, antimicrobial
utilization, antimicrobial resistance patterns)
 Get the ear of senior leadership:
 Determine how ASP elements align with the facility’s stated values
 Identify an administrative advocate to promote the value of an ASP in your facility
 Identify a physician to champion the ASP. Desirable qualities include:
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Basic knowledge of antibiotics
Interest in playing a leadership role in
his/her local community
Respected by his/her peers
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Good team player
Recognize the importance of a
culture of patient safety
Begin building an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program using the
Guide to a Comprehensive Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
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Version 7/09/2012