Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to our patients and the health care environment. Antibiotic resistance has resulted in 2 million infections and more than 23,000 deaths every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, they estimate more than 30 percent of antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily.

The Saint Luke’s Health System Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) aims to promote the judicious use of antimicrobials, suppress development of antimicrobial resistance, decrease untoward effects of unnecessary antimicrobial use, and improve outcomes for the patients we serve.

The ASP launched in August of 2015 after a successful pilot at Saint Luke’s North Hospital in 2010. The program’s core structure is composed of infectious disease pharmacists, an infectious disease physician, and a data analyst. It is supported by a committee of specialists in the area of infectious diseases, including physicians, pharmacists, microbiologists, infection prevention nurses, system leadership, among others.

Mission and vision

To achieve the best possible antimicrobial related outcomes across the Saint Luke’s Health System by ensuring the optimal selection, dose, and duration of antimicrobials for treatment or prevention while minimizing the impact of possible side effects and antimicrobial resistance.

Our vision is to improve use of antimicrobials and the resultant quality of care delivered to our patients.

National attention

Ahead of the curve, the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program is well positioned to exceed all established and pending regulatory standards that have gained national attention. Currently, Missouri is the second known state to enact legislation requiring the establishment of an ASP in hospitals. Our program’s structure and proactive work ensures that patients will continue to receive the best care.

Program expansion

Antimicrobial stewardship is needed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting to maximally influence appropriate antimicrobial use.  In 2019 the ASP expanded from an inpatient-only program to now also cover ambulatory care, including convenient care clinics. With the expansion, the ASP now serves a large array of patients through many locations throughout the Kansas City region. Its coverage includes:

• 18 hospitals
• 239 physician practices
• 13 convenient care clinics
• 7 walk-in clinics
• 2 long term care facilities
• 1 surgery center
• 1 rehabilitation hospital

Our team

Many individuals in the health system contribute to the program’s success. Clinical initiatives of the program are vetted through the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and structural leadership is provided by an oversight committee.

Meet the core team of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program: