Pharmacists Can Make a Difference in Antibiotic Stewardship at Discharge

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Pharmacists Can Make a Difference in Antibiotic Stewardship at Discharge

SUMMARY

Infectious Disease (ID) pharmacists can play a key role in optimizing antibiotic use beyond hospital doors through stewardship initiatives targeting transition of care. Authors share data from an Annals of Pharmacotherapy study showing that, of the patient cases they reviewed, ID pharmacists identified drug-related problems in more than 40% of oral antibiotic prescriptions delivered at discharge. It is estimated that up to 70% of antibiotic courses prescribed at discharge could be improved through narrowing the antibiotic spectrum, proper dosing, reducing duration, or stopping antibiotics altogether.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Corey J. Medler, PharmD, MPH, BCIDP, ID Pharmacist at UVA Health, Virginia

Allison M. Field, PharmD, AAHIVP, ID Pharmacist at ECU Health, North Carolina

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