Antibiotic Stewardship

14.95
About the Course:
The introduction of antibiotics into the practice of medicine has transformed the lives of millions of people. Infections that were once lethal are now easily treatable, and medical advances have been able to move forward through the use of antibiotics. Unfortunately, between 20 and 50 percent of all antibiotics administered in hospitals in the United States have been deemed either unnecessary or inappropriate. The misuse of antibiotics has contributed to increases in the rates of Clostridium difficile infections and adverse reactions to antibiotics, as well as the development of resistant strains of bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 23,000 deaths annually are caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms. 

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, the learner will be able to: 
  • Discuss the seven core elements of a successful antibiotic stewardship program and their implementation in hospitals, small and critical access hospitals, and nursing homes. 
  • Describe interventions to improve the use of antibiotics, including broad interventions, pharmacy-driven interventions, and infection-specific interventions.
  • Explain methods used to track and measure antibiotic use and outcomes.
  • Discuss the three disease states that antibiotics are most commonly prescribed for, including diagnosis, risk factors, and recommendations for initial empiric antibiotic treatment.
About the Author
Katie Ingersoll-Blair, Pharm.D., R.Ph., is a community pharmacist, consultant and freelance writer who specializes in pharmacy education. She has performed freelance work writing and editing practice questions for various pharmacy technician exams, as well as has written and revised continuing education programs for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. She has also written for Natural Standard, summarizing research studies on dietary supplements and working on the company blog.  Dr. Ingersoll-Blair graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2009 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

How to receive credit:
  • A minimum test score of 75 percent is needed to obtain a credit.

Activity Type - Knowledge-based

Target Audience - Pharmacists, Pharmacists Technicians


Disclosures:

  • Contact hours will be awarded through the expiration date.
  • You must score 75% or higher on the final exam and complete the course evaluation to pass this course and have your record of completion submitted through CPE Monitor and to the NABP.
  • Through our review process, Colibri Healthcare, LLC ensures that this course content is presented in a balanced, unbiased manner and is free from commercial influence. It is Colibri Healthcare, LLC's policy not to accept commercial support.
  • All persons involved in the planning and development of this course have disclosed no relevant financial relationships or other conflicts of interest related to the course content.

ACPE Logo
Colibri Healthcare, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. (Provider #0607).