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Antimicrobial Stewardship in Long-Term Care
Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in nursing homes, with up to 70% of residents in a nursing home receiving one or more courses of systemic antibiotics when followed over a year. Studies have shown that 40–75% of antibiotics prescribed in nursing homes may be unnecessary or inappropriate. Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in long-term care settings is crucial to optimize antibiotic prescribing and mitigate the risks of antimicrobial resistance among vulnerable residents.
The following IDPH-funded antimicrobial stewardship activities support long-term care settings across Illinois:
Resources
- The Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes
- Antibiotic Stewardship Resource Bundle
- CMS Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Resources
- Infectious Diseases Society of America Practice Guidelines
- Nursing Home Health Care Professionals: Effective Communication Toolkit
- Infection Prevention Tools
- Infection Prevention Training
- Patient Resources and Education
