Antibiotic Stewardship 2024: An ACHIA QI Collaborative Part 1

Friday, November 1, 2024, 12:00 PM - Sunday, November 1, 2026, 12:30 PM


Right Medicine, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Duration: Upcoming ACHIA Antibiotic Stewardship Quality Improvement Collaborative The 2021 AAP Policy Statement “Antibiotic Stewardship in Pediatrics” highlighted that antibiotic overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance, which is a threat to Public Health.1 Antibiotics are the most common class of medications prescribed to children and the vast majority of antibiotic prescribing occurs in the outpatient setting. While antibiotic therapy has saved many lives, overuse can cause harm. Antibiotic exposure can lead to antibiotic resistance, Clostridioides difficile infections and other drug-related adverse events. Indeed 71% of C. Diff cases in children were community associated after exposure to antibiotics prescribed for otitis media, sinus infections, and respiratory tract infections. Antibiotic- associated adverse drug events account for almost 50% of emergency department visits for adverse events to medications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that antibiotic-resistant microbes cause nearly 3 million infections and 35000 deaths each year in the United States. Antibiotics are frequently used in outpatient settings with a significant proportion of prescriptions considered unnecessary. Alabama has one of the highest rates of antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 people. (see map) Antibiotic stewardship is a practice of using antibiotics only when necessary, and when necessary, committing to use the right drug, at the right dose, the right route, and for the right duration. The AAP, in coordination with other organizations such as the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, endorses the use of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) to reduce antibiotic overuse when improving patient outcomes. Effective ASPs include strong leadership, clinical decision support tools, clinician education on best prescribing practices, patient education on the natural course of viral infections and symptomatic care, as well as audit with feedback of antibiotic prescribing. The Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance (ACHIA) will conduct an Antibiotic Stewardship Quality Improvement Collaborative December 2024- August 2025. With ACHIA guidance, enrolled practices will develop an antibiotic stewardship program for their clinic as well as be eligible for Part IV Maintenance of Certification points for the American Board of Pediatrics certification. Shannon Ross, MD, MSPH Professor, UAB Pediatric Infectious Diseases, will discuss outpatient antibiotic stewardship at the Alabama Chapter AAP Fall meeting as well as serve as the collaborative content expert.

1. Discuss the global health problem of antibiotic resistance
2. Describe how antibiotic resistance develops
3. Utilize key strategies for a successful outpatient stewardship intervention

Children's of Alabama designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Children’s of Alabama is accredited by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.50 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (0.50 hours)

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Children's of Alabama adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.