Antimicrobial Resistance
"Antimicrobial resistance costs money, livelihood, and lives, and threatens to undermine the effectiveness of health delivery programs. It has been described as a threat to global stability and national security. Antimicrobial use is the key driver of resistance. This selective pressure comes from a combination of overuse... and also from misuse."
-WHO Global Strategy for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance, 2000.
Through a joint effort of Pharmaceutical & Nutrition Care, Infection Control and Epidemiology, and the Infectious Diseases Division of Internal Medicine, the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) at Nebraska Medicine has been active since August 2004. The mission of the ASP is to optimize the utilization of antimicrobial agents in order to realize improved patient outcomes, a positive effect on antimicrobial resistance, and an economic benefit.
Antimicrobial stewardship is defined as a rational, systematic approach to the use of antimicrobial agents in order to achieve optimal outcomes. This means using the right agent, at the correct dose, for the appropriate duration in order to cure or prevent infection, while minimizing toxicity and emergence of resistance.
Read about current events and subscribe to our UNMC Infectious Diseases blog.
Additional resources specific to antimicrobial stewardship programs at small/critical-access hospitals and long-term care facilities can be found at our companion site: asap.nebraskamed.com
Recent Updates
- August 2021
- Expanded Rapid Blood Culture ID Panel Implemented with new Guidance
- Updated Guideline on Management of Positive Blood Culture with Negative BCID Result
- Ceftazidime/avibactam added to formulary
- Artesunate and Coartem added to formulary for malaria - Contact ASP
- Antibiotics for Sepsis Updated
- Summer 2021
- Spring 2021
- Fall 2020
- Summer 2020
- Spring 2020
- Fall/Winter 2019
- Dosing Protocols updated including new guidance for Ceftolozane/tazobactam, Colistin, and Polymyxin B
- OPAT page updated with indications and guidance for MAT
- Microbiology nudge implemented
- Summer 2019
- Sepsis antibiotic recommendations updated
- C. difficile – Healthcare Professional’s Role in Preventing C.diff, Nursing Guidance on Testing (Stool Assessment Tool) and Support Staff’s Role in Preventing C.diff
- Antibiograms distributed – Gram negative Combination therapy, 2018 Inpatient (color), Tri-fold Pocket Card, and Bellevue Overall
- New team members joined
- OPAT program started
- Biocontainment Resources added
- Spring 2019
- Educational Opportunities added – PGY2 Pharmacy Residency, ID Medical Fellowship, Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit, UNMC ID blog and Twitter feed.
- C. difficile - Testing algorithm and Antibiotic Risk/Cost
- Dalbavancin added to formulary
Note: The resources on this website are intended for non-commercial educational and quality improvement purposes. Outside entities may utilize them for these purposes, but must acknowledge the source when they are used.
