The role of the microbiology laboratory in antimicrobial stewardship programs

Edina Avdic; Karen C Carroll

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2014.01.002

The role of the microbiology laboratory in antimicrobial stewardship programs

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2014 Jun;28(2):215-35. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2014.01.002. Epub 2014 Apr 3.

Authors

Edina Avdic¹, Karen C Carroll²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Osler 425, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: eavdic1@jhmi.edu.
² Departments of Pathology and Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Meyer B1-193, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

PMID: 24857389
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2014.01.002

Abstract

One of the impediments to the success of antimicrobial stewardship is the lack of availability of rapid and sensitive laboratory tests. The last decade has seen an explosion in new technologies that permit, in less than 4 hours, the identification of organisms and their resistance markers. In addition, the use of biomarkers has been explored in algorithms to distinguish infections that require antimicrobial agents. Clinical microbiology laboratories also contribute to the success of stewardship programs through compilation of aggregate antimicrobial susceptibility data. This article reviews rapid diagnostics, the use of biomarkers, and antibiogram development to antimicrobial stewardship activities and the subsequent impact on patient outcomes.

Keywords: Antibiogram; Antimicrobial stewardship; Microbiology laboratory; Procalcitonin; Rapid diagnostics.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
Drug Utilization / standards*
Humans
Inappropriate Prescribing / prevention & control*
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents