New Explore Medbridge Pathways

Creating an Antibiotic Stewardship Program

Presented by Shelley Bhola

12-Month Subscription

Unlimited access to:

  • Thousands of CE Courses
  • Patient Education
  • Home Exercise Program
  • And more
Subscribe Now

Or

First Chapter Free Buy Course
Antibiotic stewardship, according to the CDC, refers to a set of commitments and actions designed to optimize the treatment of infections while reducing the adverse events associated with antibiotic use. Between 1.5 and 1.7 million older adults live in long-term care facilities annually, with an average of 1.6 to 3.8 million infections treated annually (APIC, 2013). While antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed medications in long-term care, studies have shown that 40 to 75% of those prescribed are unnecessary or inappropriate. This course will provide the history of antibiotics, the development of the multiple drug-resistant organisms, and the urgent need to create a sustainable antibiotic stewardship program that will preserve their use for future generations.

Meet your instructor

Shelley Bhola

Ms. Bhola has over 25 years’ experience in clinical management in the long-term care and assisted living market. Her previous roles include: Director of Nursing, Regional Consultant, Case Manager for managed care in the community and public health, MDS coordinator, staff educator, infection control, regulatory crisis…

Read full bio

Chapters & learning objectives

Where Did it Begin?

1. Where Did it Begin?

Antibiotics have been used in the United States since 1942. What once was considered a life-extending miracle drug has now become a medication to avoid. How did we get from there to here, and what will happen if we don’t change our practices?

The Core Elements: Getting Started

2. The Core Elements: Getting Started

One cannot impact change if everyone who is involved in the change is not on board. Often, resistance to change is simply due to not understanding the purpose and goal. This chapter will walk you through the initial steps required to implement a program that will be understood and sustainable into the future.

Enlisting the Help of Others

3. Enlisting the Help of Others

A successful antibiotic stewardship program involves many disciplines working together for the good of all. This chapter will focus on how the prescribing clinicians, consulting pharmacists, and laboratory personnel can have a positive impact on educating and sustaining a successful antibiotic stewardship program.

Ongoing Surveillance and Advocacy

4. Ongoing Surveillance and Advocacy

All the pieces are in place. The entire team is aware of their roles in the program. This chapter will address why ongoing surveillance is crucial in your role as the infection preventionist and what to do when there is a break in practice.