ABSTRACT
This chapter describes why the judicious use of antimicrobials is essential in slowing the steady nationwide increase in antimicrobial resistance, the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs), and discusses the collaborative nature of ASPs with other key departments. ASPs play a role in reducing both direct and visible costs as well as the potential to reduce indirect costs. ASPs provide a responsible and accountable source of antimicrobial oversight, whether in formulary management, facilitating the development of institutional guidelines for antimicrobial use, or working with the clinical microbiology laboratory to optimize susceptibility testing and reporting. The ASPs involvement in the antimicrobial formulary is not limited to drug evaluations, but also should periodically work with the pharmacy to evaluate pricing contracts, which can be complicated and may fluctuate. Dose optimization interventions are likely to be one of the most common interventions from an ASP.
