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Antibiotic Stewardship
Anncouncements
Since their discovery, antibiotics have proven to be revolutionary in the practice of medicine allowing treatment of infections which were once considered untreatable and lethal. However, misuse of these miraculous drugs has led to significant consequences including individual patient harm resulting from antibiotic related side effects and societal harm due to the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic Stewardship Consultations
We are excited to offer consultations to facilities interested in strengthening their Antibiotic Stewardship Program or Honor Roll application. These consultations are provided at no cost and are available to all facility types.
Antibiotic Stewardship Consultation Request
Key benefits include:
- Comprehensive review of your stewardship program.
- Open to all facility types.
- 60-minute virtual or in-person meeting.
- Inclusion of resources.
- Non-regulatory.
- No cost to the facility.
Honor Roll Program
The Acute Care Antibiotic Stewardship Program Honor Roll Application will reopen July 1 through August 31, 2025.
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2025
Acute Care Honor Roll Toolkit
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2024
Acute Care Honor Roll Report
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2024
Acute Care Honor Roll Program Recipients
The Long-term Care Antibiotic Stewardship Program Honor Roll Application will open October 1 through November 30, 2025.
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2025
Long-term Care Honor Roll Toolkit
AS FAQ
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What is Antibiotic Stewardship?
Antibiotic stewardship is a program put into place to measure and improve antibiotic prescribing by physicians and use by patients. Antibiotic stewardship strives to minimize missed or delayed diagnoses that can lead to underuse of antibiotics. It is also crucial to ensure that the right drug, dose, and duration are selected when an antibiotic is needed.
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Why is it Important?
Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance which lowers the likelihood of the drug working in the future. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can also contribute to increased health care costs, adverse drug reactions, health care related infections, and community-associated Clostridium difficile infections. Annually in the United States, approximately two million people develop infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and 23,000 people die because of these infections (CDC).
General
- Antibiotics Prescribing and Use (Source: CDC | DPH | https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/index.html)
- Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) Options (Source: AUR | PSC | NHSN | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/psc/aur/index.html)
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NHSN
Conferring Rights Instructions
- Antibiotic Resistance & Patient Safety Portal (Sources: CDC https://arpsp.cdc.gov/profile/antibiotic-use/all-classes)
- CDC’s Antibiotic Stewardship Training Plan (Source: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/training_plan/3697)
- Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship by Setting (Source: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/core-elements/index.html)
- Treatment Recommendations by Population (Source: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/clinicians.html)
- Improve Antibiotic Use – Implementing CDC’s 6/18 Initiative: A Resource Center (Source: https://www.618resources.chcs.org/priority-conditions/improve-antibiotic-use/)
Hospitals
- CDC's Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs
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Hospital
Commitment Letter
- CDC's Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation
- The Joint Commission's New and Revised Requirements for Antibiotic Stewardship
- CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance & Patient Safety Portal: Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Patient Safety Component Manual
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Antimicrobial Use & Resistance Resources
- CDC/National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Resources for CMS Requirements
Long-Term Care Facilities
- Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes
- AHRQ Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Long-Term Care (LTC) Infection Control Worksheet
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services State Operations Manual Appendix PP-Guidance to Surveyors for LTC Facilities
Outpatient Facilities
- CDC's Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship
- CDC's Antibiotic Prescribing and Use: Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing in the United States
- CDC's Antibiotic Prescribing and Use: Clinical Care of Outpatient Adult and Pediatric Populations
- CDC's Watchful Waiting for Ear Infections
- CDC's Antibiotic Prescribing and Use: Strategies for Improving Antibiotic Use in Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities
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Improving
Fluoroquinolone Prescribing in Outpatient Facilities Factsheet
Patients
- CDC's Antibiotics Aren't Always the Answer Factsheet
- CDC's Virus or Bacteria - What's got you sick? Factsheet
- CDC's You've Been Prescribed an Antibiotic Factsheet
Nurses
- CDC's Is it Really a Penicillin Allergy? Factsheet
- AHRQ's The Role of the Bedside Nurse in Antibiotic Stewardship Interventions
- AHRQ Suspected Infection SBAR Tools for UTI, Lower Respiratory Infection, and Skin and Soft Tissue
Pharmacists
- CDC's 5 Ways Hospital Pharmacists can be Antibiotics Aware Factsheet
- CDC's 5 Ways Consultant Pharmacists can be Antibiotics Aware Factsheet
- CDC's 5 Ways Community Pharmacists can be Antibiotics Aware Factsheet
Dentists
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Antibiotic
Stewardship Dental Toolkit
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Dental
Office Commitment Letter
- American Dental Association: Antibiotic Stewardship in Dentistry
- CDC's Checklist for Antibiotic Prescribing in Dentistry
- CDC's Treating Patients with Dental Pain and Swelling Factsheet
- CDC's Antibiotic Use for a Safe Dental Visit Brochure
Veterinarians
- CDC's One Health: Antimicrobial Resistance in People and Animals
- American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines
- Minnesota Department of Health One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Resources
- University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine: Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Initiative
Contact Info
- For questions or assistance with your antibiotic stewardship program, please email [email protected]
- For technical assistance with NHSN please email [email protected]
Print/Video/Web and Graphics Materials
- Patient Resources and Education | Antibiotic Use | CDC (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/materials-references/index.html)
- Educational Resources for Healthcare Professionals | Antibiotic Use | CDC (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/training/materials.html)
Videos
- DPH | Alliant Health Solutions Strike Team Office Hours (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzMcwEGdjTLmB9k8Jc2O9KqgLhLsFJajQ
- CDC NHSN Training Videos (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQYzQ_vFc-PZGhgDOL3XrXvT
- CDC | Safe Healthcare Webinars (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQayOi5lgk08QDgv3GHROtCf
- CDC | Dialysis Safety Videos (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQZZfYDSI9vYiOC2x7fSz2TE
- Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVjKiiBsfA6W-7TMrUsm-w
Last updated: 3/28/25