Rachel Shnekendorf, MPH

Antibiotic overuse contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and the development of multidrug-resistant organisms, or MDROs. It is predicted that by 2050, 10 million people a year may die from MDRO infections. Currently, at least half of all hospitalized patients and up to 70% of long-term care facility residents receive antibiotic therapy, of which 30% to 50% is considered inappropriate. To highlight the need for urgent action in combating antimicrobial resistance, the CDC published a comprehensive analysis outlining the threats posed by MDROs. In 2014, WHO published a global report on antimicrobial resistance to further describe the threat, as well as outline efforts underway to combat antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship has been consistently identified as an important tool to combat antimicrobial resistance. In response to the national and international call to action, health care accreditation standards from CMS and the Joint Commission were updated to require acute-care hospitals and long-term care facilities to have active antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) with dedicated medical staff expertise and leadership.