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Review
. 2020 Dec 29:13:4713-4738.
doi: 10.2147/IDR.S290835. eCollection 2020.

Antimicrobial Stewardship: Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance and Protecting Global Public Health

Md Anwarul Azim Majumder  1 , Sayeeda Rahman  2 , Damian Cohall  1 , Ambadasu Bharatha  1 , Keerti Singh  1 , Mainul Haque  3 , Marquita Gittens-St Hilaire  1
Affiliations
Review

Antimicrobial Stewardship: Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance and Protecting Global Public Health

Md Anwarul Azim Majumder et al. Infect Drug Resist. .

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to global public health. It increases morbidity and mortality, and is associated with high economic costs due to its health care burden. Infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria also have substantial implications on clinical and economic outcomes. Moreover, increased indiscriminate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic will heighten bacterial resistance and ultimately lead to more deaths. This review highlights AMR's scale and consequences, the importance, and implications of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) to fight resistance and protect global health. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), an organizational or system-wide health-care strategy, is designed to promote, improve, monitor, and evaluate the rational use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness, along with the promotion and protection of public health. ASP has been very successful in promoting antimicrobials' appropriate use by implementing evidence-based interventions. The "One Health" approach, a holistic and multisectoral approach, is also needed to address AMR's rising threat. AMS practices, principles, and interventions are critical steps towards containing and mitigating AMR. Evidence-based policies must guide the "One Health" approach, vaccination protocols, health professionals' education, and the public's awareness about AMR.

Keywords: One Health; antibiotics; antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobial stewardship program; global health; multidrug-resistant.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Md Anwarul Azim Majumder is the Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Medical Education and Practice with Dove Medical Press. All authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Core elements of ASP to optimize the treatment of infections and reduce adverse events associated with antibiotic use.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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