Overview

Introduction to General Practice Principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship

Improving antibiotic use is a medication-safety and patient safety issue.  Research indicates that 30-50% of antibiotics prescribed in hospitals is either not indicated or not appropriate.  Overprescribing and misprescribing is contributing to the growing challenges posed by Clostridiodies difficile infections and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Studies have demonstrated that improved prescribing practices in hospitals can not only help reduce rates of C. difficile infections and antibiotic resistance, but can also improve patient outcomes, all while reducing healthcare costs. Interventions to improve antibiotic use can be implemented in any healthcare setting - from the smallest to the largest.  This site contains resources to build and sustain antimicrobial stewardship programs in a variety of healthcare settings, including long-term care, acute care, and outpatient clinics.  

Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources

Additional Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources for Nursing Homes

Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources for Outpatient Clinics

Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources for Hospitals

Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources for Patients

Resources for One Health Veterinary Guidance

Infection Control 

Title Source Type
Antimicrobial Therapy Do’s and Don’ts for Felines
 AVMA PDF
Antimicrobial Therapy Do’s and Don’ts for Canines
 AVMA PDF
ARSI: Pocket Guide: Antimicrobial Prescribing for Common Small Animal Diseases
 UMN ASRI PDF
Suggested Treatment Options for Companion Animals The Ohio State Website
Example Practice-Level Antibiotic Drug Tiers and Selection List for Companion Animals
 UMN ASRI PDF
(ISCAID) Urinary Tract Guidelines table Journal of Japanese Association of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology PDF
(ISCAID) Respiratory Guidelines tables Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases PDF
(ISCAID) Bacterial Folliculitis Guidelines Table Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases PDF
Enteropathogenic Bacteria: Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Treatment and Control ACIM Paper
Antibiotics for Diarrhea: Friend or Foe? UMN ASRI Video
WSVMA Six Moments of Veterinary Prescribing UMN ASRI Poster
BSAVA PROTECT ME British Small Animal Veterinary Association Poster
Prescribing Guidelines
Carbapenem Resistance
Stewardship Implementation
Client Resources

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week

Go Purple for USAAW 
 
CDPH is inviting families, friends, organizations, and communities to shine a spotlight on antimicrobial resistance by participating in Go Purple for USAAW. This effort encourages individuals to wear purple on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 and bring purple to their social media and invites organizations, healthcare facilities, and municipalities to light up buildings and landmarks purple all week long to bring awareness to the role everyone has in combating antimicrobial resistance. 
 
Building Illumination 

CDPH will be teaming up with Illuminate Chicago and Blue Cross Blue Shield for U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW). From November 18th to 24th, 2024, local partners will illuminate structures in a vibrant purple hue as part of the USAAW Go Purple Campaign. Moreover, on the evenings of November 18th –19th , 2024, the Blue Cross Blue Shield building at 300 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 will feature the message "BE ANTIBIOTIC AWARE" on its renowned tower facing Lake Shore Drive. We encourage you to incorporate the hashtags #CDPH, #AntimicrobialResistance, #USAAW24, or #PurpleforAR in your social media posts to help raise awareness. 
Building with US Antibiotic Week messaging

Webinars

Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkits

NHSN Resources

Additional Antimicrobial Stewardship Information

Educational References – Antimicrobial Stewardship Training for Healthcare Professionals
Treatment Guidelines - Infectious Disease & Antimicrobial Stewardship
Key Antimicrobial Stewardship Articles

Related Links

Antimicrobial Stewardship Reporting

For questions related to Healthcare Associated Infection/Antibiotic Resistance, please contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at:  CDPHHAIAR@cityofchicago.org 

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Upcoming Events

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NHSN AUR Workgroup

Our national healthcare safety network workgroup is hosted every other month for facilities interested in learning and collaborating with other facility stewardship teams for mentorship on the antibiotic use and resistance module.

Star (Estrella) Cervantes, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP
Infectious Disease - Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist
Estrella.Cervantes@cityofchicago.org