Introduction
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) focuses on optimizing the use of antimicrobial agents to improve patient outcomes, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and minimize adverse effects and healthcare costs. Inappropriate or excessive antimicrobial use is a major driver of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), making stewardship a critical component of infection prevention and patient safety.
This course emphasizes evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship principles and practical implementation strategies within healthcare facilities. It equips healthcare teams with the knowledge and tools required to design, implement, and sustain an effective ASP aligned with infection prevention, quality improvement, and accreditation requirements.
Scope
This program covers key components and best practices of antimicrobial stewardship, including:
- Principles and goals of antimicrobial stewardship
- Core elements of an effective ASP
- Appropriate antimicrobial selection, dosing, route, and duration
- Review of empirical vs targeted therapy
- Monitoring antimicrobial use and resistance trends
- Integration of ASP with infection prevention and control (IPC) programs
- Multidisciplinary collaboration (physicians, pharmacists, microbiology, IPC)
- Education and behavioral strategies for prescribers
- Audit, feedback, and performance improvement initiatives
- Documentation, reporting, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards
Objectives
By the end of the program, learners will be able to:
- Understand the role of antimicrobial stewardship in patient safety
- Apply principles of appropriate antimicrobial prescribing
- Develop and implement antimicrobial stewardship interventions
- Monitor antimicrobial use and resistance patterns
- Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams
- Reduce antimicrobial resistance and prevent HAIs
- Support data-driven quality improvement initiatives
- Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements
Who Can Enroll
This program is suitable for:
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) nurses and officers
- Clinical pharmacists and antimicrobial stewardship team members
- Physicians, residents, and prescribers
- Microbiologists and laboratory professionals
- Quality and patient safety teams
- Healthcare administrators and clinical leaders
Study Content from TERRALEAP.COM
Learners receive structured study support through TERRALEAP.COM, including:
- Expert-led videos on antimicrobial stewardship principles and practices
- Scenario-based learning covering prescribing decisions and interventions
- Guided explanations of audit, feedback, and resistance management
- Learning resources designed to reinforce safe, effective antimicrobial use