Core Principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship

Nearly 30% of antibiotics prescribed in hospital settings are unnecessary or inappropriate. This prescribing often results in the development of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, which have been estimated to cause approximately 35,000 deaths per year in the United States. To mitigate this threat to patients, experts and thought leaders have advocated and developed antimicrobial stewardship strategies and protocols. This white paper will review core principles of antimicrobial stewardship that minimize antimicrobial resistant infection prevalence, reduce adverse drug events, and improve patient outcomes.