Kelley M. Boston, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is one of the world’s most pressing health problems. Coordinated antimicrobial stewardship programs promote the appropriate use of antibiotics, improve patient outcomes, reduce microbial resistance, and decrease the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. 

In this brand new APIC Text chapter, Elizabeth Monsees, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, and Jennifer Goldman, MD, MSCR, address the critical issue of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Among the topics covered are:

• The seven core elements that form the foundation of every stewardship program: leadership commitment, accountability, drug expertise, action, tracking, reporting, and education
• The interdisciplinary nature of antimicrobial stewardship, with emphasis on the specific roles of infection preventionists and nurses
• Strategies for establishing antimicrobial stewardship programs in all healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory clinics
• Future directions in antimicrobial stewardship

The ATO continues to support concurrent review and updates of important chapters based on infection prevention trends and issues, as well as developing new chapters. Other recent chapter updates include:

• Surgical Site Infection
• Clostridium difficile Infection and Pseudomembranous Colitis
• Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization
• Antimicrobials and Resistance

APIC is excited to hear your thoughts about the revised chapter, as well as the entire ATO platform. Your views are critical to APIC’s success in providing the resources that you need to flourish as an IP. Please email us with any feedback at text@apic.org.

Regards,

Kelley M. Boston, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC