Box 2.

Core Elements of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program

Leadership commitment towards necessary human, financial, and information technology resources.

Accountability through a single physician/pharmacist leader for program management and outcomes.

Drug expertise through an only pharmacy leader to help lead implementation efforts to improve antibiotic use.

Action to implement interventions, such as prospective audit and feedback or preauthorization, to improve antibiotic use.

Tracking prescription, the impact of interventions, resistance patterns, and other important outcomes.

Reporting prescription and resistance information directly to prescribers, pharmacists, nurses, and hospital leadership.

Education for health care professionals (prescribers, pharmacists, nurses) and patients about adverse reactions from antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and optimal prescribing.

Note: Data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.⁷¹