Insights from the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists on antimicrobial stewardship guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Pharmacotherapy. 2009 May;29(5):593-607. doi: 10.1592/phco.29.5.593.

Abstract

In 2007, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America published a document that addressed the major considerations for the justification, description, and conduct of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Our document is intended to continue the dialogue of these formalized programmatic strategies. We briefly review the guidelines, including the two primary strategies (prospective auditing with feedback, and preauthorization), and the supplemental strategies (education, information technology, transitional therapy, de-escalation or streamlining, and dose optimization). Discussions are introduced or furthered in the areas of program goals, barriers and solutions, and outcome measures. Definition and training of infectious diseases pharmacists are presented in detail. We offer keys to future success, which include continued collaboration and expanded use of information technology.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Audit
  • Communicable Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Education, Pharmacy*
  • Health Resources
  • Health Workforce
  • Humans
  • Medical Informatics
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Professional Practice / standards*
  • United States

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents