Antimicrobial Stewardship: Strategies for Optimizing Antimicrobial Use and Combating Resistance
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 1859
Special Issue Editor
Interests: microorganisms (isolation, identification); antimicrobial activity/cytotoxicity (clasical methods, e.g., well diffusion method, fluorescence microscope as well as modern techniques such as flow cytometry); use of microorganisms for searching of innovative agents (e.g., Me/MeO nanoparticles, nanocomposites) and their application in medicine, veterinary, cosmetics and food industry
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Antimicrobial stewardship is a critical strategy for optimizing the use of antimicrobial agents and combating the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. As the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs have contributed to the rise of drug-resistant pathogens, healthcare providers and institutions are implementing comprehensive stewardship programs to ensure the appropriate, safe, and effective utilization of these vital medical resources. Optimizing antimicrobial therapy is a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship programs. By carefully selecting the appropriate antimicrobial agent, dosage, and duration of treatment, healthcare providers can help improve patient (human and animals) outcomes, minimize the development of antimicrobial resistance, and reduce the risk of adverse drug events.
In this Special Issue, we will discuss how maintaining the long-term success and effectiveness of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) requires a commitment to continuous quality improvement and sustainability. This involves regularly evaluating the program's impact, identifying areas for optimization, and implementing data-driven changes to ensure the program continues to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare facility and patient population.
Key strategies for continuous quality improvement and sustainability include the following:
Implementing Stewardship Programs: This includes implementing guidelines, policies, and protocols to standardize antimicrobial prescribing practices, as well as education and training for healthcare providers on appropriate antimicrobial use. Ongoing monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial utilization and resistance patterns are also crucial elements of a successful ASP.
Strategic Stewardship Interventions: These interventions aim to promote the optimal selection, dosing, duration, and route of antimicrobial administration. Effective implementation of these strategies can lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced antimicrobial resistance, and cost savings for healthcare systems.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Successful antimicrobial stewardship requires a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving a variety of specialists as well as scientific researchers and other healthcare professionals. By leveraging the expertise of this team, ASPs can effectively implement evidence-based interventions, provide tailored education, and foster a culture of responsible antimicrobial use within the healthcare organization.
Dr. Viorica Railean
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- antimicrobial stewardship
- antimicrobial agent
- antimicrobial therapy
- dosing optimization
- healthcare
- antimicrobial surveillance and monitoring
- human medicine
- veterinary medicine
- multidisciplinary
- stewardship programs
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