Antimicrobial Stewardship Podcast

Promoting Antimicrobial Stewardship in Human Medicine

Antimicrobial stewardship refers to coordinated interventions designed to improve and measure the appropriate use of antimicrobials by promoting the selection of the optimal antimicrobial drug regimen, dose, duration of therapy, and route of administration. Antimicrobial stewards seek to achieve optimal clinical outcomes related to antimicrobial use, minimize toxicity and other adverse events, reduce the costs of health care for infections, and limit the selection for antimicrobial resistant strains. Currently, there are no national or coordinated legislative or regulatory mandates designed to optimize use of antimicrobial therapy through antimicrobial stewardship. Given the societal value of antimicrobials and their diminishing effectiveness due to antimicrobial resistance, IDSA supports broad implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs across all health care settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities, long-term acute care facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, dialysis centers, and private practices.

Statements
Letters

CDC Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report Shows Impacts of Federal Investments, Continued Gaps

11/13/2019

The Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report released by the CDC today shows that while recent federal investments to combat antibiotic resistance have had meaningful impacts, the continued spread of infections that are not effectively treated by existing medicines pose deadly threats to patients and public health.

CMS Takes a Significant Step Against Antimicrobial Resistance with Hospital Stewardship Requirement

9/25/2019

New CMS rule requiring hospital antibiotic stewardship programs will enable critical advances toward control of AMR.

IDSA and Others Urge CMS to Adopt New Requirements for Stewardship (PDF)

6/24/2019

IDSA joins groups representing health care providers, scientists, patients, public health, advocates, and industry in a letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to consider carving novel antibiotics to treat serious or life-threatening infections out of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) and to adopt new requirements for antibiotic stewardship and surveillance.

IDSA Comments to HHS Re Antimicrobial Resistance and the National Biodefense Strategy (PDF)

11/5/2018

IDSA supports the National Biodefense Strategy, particulary the goals and objectives related to AMR domestically and internationally, and shared policy recommendations to combat AMR.

IDSA Leads Health Groups in Letter to New Administration Urging Continuation of AMR Efforts (PDF)

1/13/2017

IDSA coordinated a letter, joined by 47 other health groups, to President-elect Trump urging that federal efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance be maintained in the years ahead.

IDSA Comments to UN Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (PDF)

8/31/2017

IDSA submitted comments to the Interagency Coordination Group (ICG) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) established by the UN Secretary-General supporting the objectives set forth by the ICG's proposed work plan, and offering suggestions that would strengthen its efforts.

IDSA Leads Sign On Letter to HHS Secretary on AMR (PDF)

5/22/2017

IDSA led a group of over forty organizations representing health care providers, patients, public health, and industry to thank HHS Secretary Tom Price for his upcoming participation in the World Health Assembly, and to continue domestic and international work to advance a robust response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that reflects the US commitment to infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance, and innovation.