Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: 10 More Links to Free Resources

Last month, in conjunction with "Get Smart About Antibiotics Week" and "World Antibiotics Awareness Week," we shared links to 10 websites with free educational resources that organizations can incorporate into their antimicrobial stewardship program. Based on the popularity of that ICCS report, we're sharing links to 10 more websites with free resources.

1. Checklist for core elements of hospital antibiotic stewardship programs from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), which is intended for systematic use to assess key elements and actions to ensure optimal antibiotic prescribing and limit overuse and misuse of antibiotics in hospitals.

2. Posters from the World Health Organization (WHO), including those for doctors, dentists, managers, nurses and pharmacists explaining what they can do to help.

3. Infographics from WHO discussing causes of antibiotic resistance, how antibiotic resistance spreads and several others.

4. Guide to nursing home antimicrobial stewardship, published by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

5. Case studies from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Here are 10 case studies that map how to improve antibiotic use in acute and long-term care facilities.

6. Playbook from National Quality Forum (NQF). The Playbook is designed to help hospitals and health systems strengthen existing antibiotic stewardship initiatives or create antibiotic stewardship programs from the ground up. It offers practical strategies for implementing high-quality antibiotic stewardship programs in hospitals nationwide.

7. Video from Joint Commission. Part of its "Speak Up" patient safety program, this video for patients is on "Antibiotics: Know the Facts."

8. Toolkit from the California Department of Public Health. It provides practical examples of local program implementation.

9. Antibiotic management guidelines, published by Johns Hopkins Hospital.

10. Video on the importance of antimicrobial stewardship from the Mount Sinai Hospital-University Health Network Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: 10 Links to Free Resources

Its "Get Smart About Antibiotics Week" and "World Antibiotics Awareness Week" (November 14-20), which are both intended to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use.

Each year, at least 2 million people in the United States become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. It is imperative that every healthcare organization and its staff play a part in encouraging best practices that will help avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

There are many free educational resources that your organization can incorporate into its antimicrobial stewardship program. Here are 10 links to webpages providing dozens of tools and materials:

1. Toolkit from Joint Commission Resources, intended to provide valuable guidance to organizations building or looking to improve antimicrobial stewardship programs.

2. Web tools from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), including buttons and badges that you can add to your website and e-cards to send to colleagues, family and friends.

3. Print materials for healthcare professionals from CDC — posters, fact sheets, individual "prescription pad" sheets to provide patient education and a sample letter for day care providers. Note: Materials are provided in low-resolution for office printers. If you want high-resolution formats for commercial printing or are interested in customizing the materials, e-mail the Get Smart program at getsmart@cdc.gov. You can also order small quantities of select materials for free or purchase large quantities.

4. Social media messages from CDC, which provide example Facebook and Twitter pots for education of the general public.

5. Infographics from CDC on topics including antibiotic use, resistance and prescribing.

6. Video and audio tools from CDC, including podcasts, videos for healthcare professionals, and radio and television public service announcements.

7. Tools and sample forms from The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, including an adult inpatient antibiotic approval form, checklist, drug use evaluation form, policies and procedures, request for proposal and job description.

8. Toolkit for reduction of Clostridium difficile infections through antimicrobial stewardship, published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

9. Webinar recording on "Successful Antibiotic Stewardship Program Actions: Antibiotic Time-Out — Essential Elements and Development," hosted by Partnership for Quality Care.

10. Video series on antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care facilities from Nebraska Medicine.

November 2016 Issue of Infection Prevention & Control Newsletter Published

The November 2016 issue of the ICCS Infection Prevention & Control Newsletter has published.

The issue identifies some of the most pertinent infection prevention and control news from October. Highlights of this issue include a dental infection control special report, discussion about the history of PPE, HAI update from HHS, several reports on anti-microbial stewardship and recall news.

To access the issue, click here.

Note: If you want to receive the ICCS Newsletter, join the mailing list for free by clicking here.

Phenelle Segal Contributes Column on Ambulatory Anti-Microbial Stewardship

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has contributed a column to The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Buzz blog.

The piece is titled "Getting in Gear: Anti-Microbial Stewardship – Not Just for Hospitals Anymore."

In the column, Ms. Segal discusses the history of anti-microbial stewardship (AMS), including recent federal legislation; why the issue should be of interest to ambulatory surgery centers, clinical practices and dialysis centers; and a Joint Commission standard relating to AMS released in 2016.

As Ms. Segal writes, "While the standard itself doesn't provide a direct call to action for ambulatory care centers, they still need to jump in the AMS game. Ambulatory care centers should seriously focus on developing their AMS programs without delay as both government and accreditors ramp up their efforts to implement changes in anti-microbial use. The Joint Commission may be developing ambulatory versions of the AMS standards beginning in 2017, so start preparing now."

To access the Ambulatory Buzz column, click here.

Phenelle Segal Writes Column on Infection Prevention Personal Protective Equipment

ICCS President Phenelle Segal, RN, CIC, has contributed a column to Infection Control Today (ICT).

The piece is titled "The Role of Personal Protective Equipment in Infection Prevention History."

In the column, Ms. Segal discusses a wide range of topics and issues pertaining to personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

• early uses of PPE;
• guidelines concerning their use;
• PPE in the 21st century;
• evolution of PPE across the continuum of care;
• special circumstances for PPE use, specifically Ebola; and
• and recent controversies in the surgery setting concerning proper surgical attire.

As Ms. Segal writes, "PPE has evolved over the centuries as healthcare needs have increased and become more challenging. It is important for facilities, regardless of the setting, to utilize PPE effectively..."

To access the ICT column, click here.