Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) refers to coordinated interventions to improve and measure the appropriate use of antimicrobials by promoting the selection of the optimal antimicrobial drug regimen, dose, duration of therapy and route of administration. The objectives of antimicrobial stewardship are to achieve the best clinical outcomes related to antimicrobial use while minimizing emergence of antimicrobial resistant organisms, Clostridium difficile infection, and other adverse events and reducing excessive costs attributable to suboptimal antimicrobial use.
Authors: Sara E. Cosgrove, Elizabeth D. Hermsen, Michael J. Rybak, Thomas M. File, Sarah K. Parker, and Tamar F. Barlam
