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Acute Care Honor Roll
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll aims to recognize hospitals that prioritize and excel in implementing evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship practices. With nearly 98% of Illinois hospitals successfully implementing all seven of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs, this Honor Roll emphasizes the implementation of the CDC's 2022 Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation – targeted strategies aimed at enhancing the quality and impact of existing stewardship programs.
Despite the widespread increase in adoption of the Core Elements, in 2023, only 3.8% of Illinois hospitals have reported implementing all six Priorities, highlighting a significant opportunity for growth in the state's antimicrobial stewardship efforts. This graphic shows the percent of acute care hospitals in Illinois that reported implementation of Priority Elements of hospital antibiotic stewardship programs in 2023.
Hospital Priority Element Reporting in Illinois in 2023
By focusing on these Priorities, the Honor Roll encourages hospitals to adopt high-impact strategies that optimize antimicrobial use, facilitate the sharing of successful interventions and best practices, and foster collaboration among health care facilities to combat antimicrobial resistance collectively.
Recognition Framework
Part I (required): CDC Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation
- Bronze: Implementation of at least two Priorities
- Silver: Implementation of at least four Priorities
- Gold: Implementation of all six Priorities
Part II (Optional): Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaboration Distinction
- This distinction is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate a strong commitment to formal, documented, and sustained partnerships beyond their institution. Collaborations must meaningfully contribute to the broader stewardship community and reflect a shared goal of improving antimicrobial use across health care settings.
- Awarded independently of tier status and is open to all applicants.
Benefits
Awardees will receive a Certificate of Achievement and be recognized on the Illinois Department of Public Health Antimicrobial Stewardship webpage. Other benefits include opportunities to:
- Collaborate and network by sharing best practices, innovative strategies, and success stories with other Illinois leaders in antimicrobial stewardship.
- Encourage professional development by engaging health care professionals and staff in meaningful antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
- Demonstrate compliance and quality through your hospital's commitment to meeting regulatory guidelines and standards.
- Improve patient outcomes by contributing to better treatment outcomes, fewer adverse events, and reduced health care-associated infections through optimized antimicrobial use.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted twice per year via REDCap.
- 2025 Fall Application Window: July 1 – September 30
- 2026 Spring Application Window: April 1 – June 30
- 2026 Fall Application Window: October 1 – December 31
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information or assistance with the application process, contact the IDPH Antimicrobial Stewardship team at DPH.Antimicrobial.Stewardship@illinois.gov.
