Antibiotic Stewardship

​Antibiotic stewardship is the overall effort and programs that promote appropriate and correct antibiotic prescribing. 

Why Antibiotic Stewardship?

• Antibiotic resistance is a real and increasing problem.
• 30-50% of antibiotic use in hospitals is unnecessary or inappropriate.
• Excess use of antibiotics also adds to the growing problem of Clostridium difficile infections.

Advantages of reducing the use of antibiotics when there is no need for them:

• Decrease resistance to antibiotics.
• Fewer Clostridium difficile infections.
• Reduction in healthcare costs.
• Better patient outcomes

Efforts in Nebraska to Promote Antibiotic Stewardship

• Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship and Assessment Program (ASAP) is a program at Nebraska Medicine. The program has the support of Nebraska DHHS. ASAP provides guidance to facilities that develop programs for antibiotic stewardship. ASAP develops tools to help build stewardship programs.
• MDStewardship is a group of doctors specializing in infectious disease. These Omaha-based doctors provide telestewardship to remote facilities. Their services may be available to some critical access hospitals in rural areas through scholarships. Hospitals can also consult with the doctors privately.
  

Stewardship Resources from CDC

• Stewardship information for acute care hospitals
• Stewardship information for smaller hospitals
• Stewardship Information for long-term care
• Stewardship Information for outpatient facilities