Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP)
Definition: A coordinated program to improve antibiotic use in the facility, including guidelines for appropriate prescribing, monitoring of antibiotic use patterns, and education of prescribers and staff.
In Practice
Antibiotic stewardship is a required component of the infection prevention program under F0881. The program must include evidence-based protocols for common infections (UTIs, pneumonia, skin infections), monitoring of antibiotic prescribing patterns, and regular reporting to the QAPI committee. Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance.