NYMC Faculty Publications
Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infections: The First Principle of Every Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in Hospital Settings
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.3390/antibiotics13090896
Journal Title
Antibiotics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-20-2024
Department
Surgery
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the main public health global burdens of the 21st century, responsible for over a million deaths every year. Hospital programs aimed at improving antibiotic use, referred to as antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs), can both optimize the treatment of infections and minimize adverse antibiotics events including the development and spread of AMR. The challenge of AMR is closely linked to the development and spread of healthcare-associated infection (HAIs). In fact, the management of patients with HAIs frequently requires the administration of broader-spectrum antibiotic regimens due to the higher risk of acquiring multidrug-resistant organisms, which, in turn, promotes resistance. For this reason, even before using antibiotics correctly, it is necessary to prevent and control the spread of HAIs in our hospitals. In this narrative review, we present seven measures that healthcare workers, even if not directly involved in the tasks of infection prevention and control, must know, support, and embrace. We hope that this review may raise awareness among all healthcare professionals about the issues with the increasing rate of AMR and the ongoing efforts towards minimizing its rise.
Recommended Citation
Sartelli, M., Marini, C. P., McNelis, J., Coccolini, F., Rizzo, C., Labricciosa, F. M., & Petrone, P. (2024). Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infections: The First Principle of Every Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in Hospital Settings. Antibiotics, 13 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13090896