The Role of the Hospital Epidemiologist in Antibiotic Stewardship

Abstract

Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) play a crucial role in controlling the emergence of resistant organisms, reducing rates of Clostridium difficile infections and associated hospital length of stay, promoting judicious use of antibiotics, and minimizing associated adverse events. There is a significant overlap between the goals of infection control programs and ASPs, and both programs can benefit from a synergistic relationship. Hospital epidemiologists can support these programs by providing leadership support, sharing surveillance data, bridging gaps between ASPs and departments such as microbiology, integrating educational programs with ASPs, sharing outbreak alerts, and assisting with the development of treatment algorithms.

Keywords: Antibiotic stewardship; Antibiotics; Collaboration; Hospital epidemiology; Infection prevention.