From the 2022 Joint Annual Meeting (recorded 6/29/2022)
Presented by Lisa Dumkow, PharmD, BCIDP and Lacy Worden, Pharm D.

The CDC estimates that up to 50% of antimicrobial prescribing is inappropriate or unnecessary, leading to increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are designed to optimize the prescribing of antimicrobials and have been shown to significantly reduce inappropriate prescribing, patient harm, and emergence of resistance. Here we discuss antimicrobial stewardship programs and how stewardship teams optimize care through collaboration with clinical microbiology teams.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe antimicrobial stewardship and its importance to hospitals and healthcare systems
• Identify opportunities for microbiology laboratory professionals and antimicrobial stewardship teams to collaborate to improve the care of patients
• Discuss clinical outcomes associated with antimicrobial stewardship initiatives that incorporate microbiology laboratory collaboration

CE ACCREDITATION
ASCLS is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program. One (1) P.A.C.E. ® contact hour and one (1) Florida credit hour in the area of MIC (Microbiology) will be awarded to participants. ASCLS P.A.C.E.® is accepted by the ASCP/ASCLS/AGT Board of Certification and all states, including Florida and California, as an approved provider of continuing education for recertification and licensure. ASCLS is an approved provider with CE Broker for Florida licensees.

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION
This Intermediate-level program is appropriate for laboratory professionals working in clinical, public health and academic settings.