Antimicrobial Resistance : What Infection Preventionists Should Know
By Kelly M . Pyrek
Infection preventionists ( IPs ) have an important role to play in the prevention of antimicrobial resistance , emphasized DJ Shannon , MPH , CIC , VA-BC , FAPIC , infection preventionist at IU Health Adult Academic Health Center in Fishers , Ind . in a presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology ( APIC ).
“ Our role in antibiotic stewardship is challenging ,” Shannon acknowledged , but added that IPs should refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC )’ s Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship which include hospital leadership commitment , accountability , pharmacy expertise , action , tracking , reporting , and education .
Shannon reviewed aspects of the core elements that are pertinent to IPs .
“ Within the action element , we help implement actionable items to improve antibiotic use . So , as an example , we could do something as simple as participate in a quality improvement or process improvement project . Regarding tracking , we can monitor antibiotic prescribing or conduct surveillance for outcomes such as C . diff . These are actions we take every day , so it ’ s nothing crazy . Or maybe we analyze antimicrobial resistance patterns
8 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • august 2024