title: Improving patient care through implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program at a health system is described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 2008, the Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Epidemiology (CASE) was formed at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital (SLEH) to improve the quality of care for patients as it related to antimicrobial therapy. The charter of CASE contained specific aims for improving patient care, furthering clinical research, and training the next generation of clinical infectious diseases pharmacists. The CASE team consists of at least two infectious diseases pharmacists and one physician (the medical director) who provide direct oversight for antimicrobial utilization within the hospital. The CASE medical director, an infectious diseases physician, is responsible for overseeing the activities of the center. With the oversight of the CASE advisory board, the medical director develops and implements the antimicrobial stewardship and management policies for SLEH. Another key innovative feature of CASE is its extensive involvement in training new infectious diseases pharmacists and conducting research. CASE uses a model in which a clinical scenario or problem is identified, a research project is undertaken to further elucidate the problem, and policy changes are made to improve patient outcomes. The CASE team is supported by a CASE advisory board, a CASE research collaborative including university faculty, and a dedicated training program for pharmacy fellows, residents, and students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program at a health system helped decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics, improve patient care and outcomes, further clinical research, and increase training opportunities for future clinical infectious diseases pharmacists.
authors: St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Hannah R
authors: HR
authors: Palmer
authors: Jaye
authors: J
authors: Weston
authors: Layne
authors: L
authors: Gentry
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Salazar
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Putney
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Frost
authors: Joyce A
authors: JA
authors: Tipton
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Cottreau
authors: Vincent H
authors: VH
authors: Tam
authors: Kevin W
authors: KW
authors: Garey
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000187:drug effects*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013781:Texas; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents