Antibiotic stewardship: perspective on clinical decision-making

The increasing use of antibiotics has been a controversial issue ever since their introduction in the early 1940s. Excessive and inappropriate use of these agents has led to the development of drug-resistant pathogens. For this reason, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America developed guidelines to establish of antibiotic stewardship to maximize appropriate drug therapy improve clinical outcomes, prevent the emergence of resistance, and reduce adverse drug events. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) are intended to guide practitioners in designing effective antimicrobial therapies to improve patient outcomes while avoiding any unnecessary antibiotic exposure. Although ASPs involve multidisciplinary input, the infectious diseases pharmacist is a key player. By applying their clinical expertise and integrating a stepwise approach, pharmacists help develop therapies that specifically target causative pathogens, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and preventing resistance.