Antimicrobial Stewardship: Improving Clinical Outcomes By Optimization of Antibiotic Practices (CME)

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed classes of drugs and it is estimated that approximately 50% of antibiotic use, in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, is inappropriate. At the same time, in contrast to any other class of drugs, every antibiotic use has a potential public health consequence – inappropriate use may not harm only the individual patient, but contributes to societal harm by exerting an unnecessary selective pressure that may lead to antibiotic resistance among bacteria. This video based course will introduce learners to the basic principles of appropriate antibiotic use, demonstrate how to apply these principles to the management of common infections, and outline how to develop and maintain an antimicrobial stewardship program. We will offer a number of illustrative cases, recognizable to the practicing physician in his or her practice to engage learners in the thought processes that lead to optimal decision making, improved outcomes of individual patients, and harm reduction vis-a-vis the bacterial ecology. The course will also explore strategies to implement principles of antimicrobial stewardship both in your practice and also at a program level.

• Apply IDSA guidelines in treating infections such as acute rhino-sinusitis, cystitis and acute bronchitis.
• Incorporate guidelines/standardized protocols to diagnose and prescribe antibiotic therapy for treating sepsis.
• Develop strategies to implement evidence based practices for antimicrobial stewardship in your practice setting.
• Develop a plan to lead an antimicrobial stewardship program.

The Stanford University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

Course Outline:

• Introduction
• Module 1. Principles of Antimicrobial Use
• Module 2. Optimal Management of Common Infections
• Module 3. Essential Functions of ASP
• Module 4. Advanced ASP Activities
• Course Wrap-up
• Resources and References
• Help!

Videos by leading experts in the field will provide up to date scientific information and case studies will engage learners in the educational process. Quizzes will facilitate better integration of the information into strategies to apply in practice.