At a glance
- CDC recommends that all long-term care facilities and nursing homes take steps to improve antibiotic prescribing practices and reduce inappropriate use.
- The Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes adapts the Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship into practical ways to initiate or expand antibiotic stewardship activities in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
Overview
The Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes adapts the CDC Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship into practical ways to initiate or expand antibiotic stewardship activities in long-term care facilities. While the elements are the same for both hospitals and long-term care facilities, the implementation of these elements may vary based on facility staffing and resources. This guide provides examples of how the Core Elements can be applied by nursing home leadership, clinicians and staff to monitor and improve antibiotic use.
Core Elements documents
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/media/images/core-elements-antibiotic-stewardship-thumb.jpg)
![[thumbnail] (hidden)](https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/media/images/core-elements-antibiotic-stewardship-checklist-thumb.jpg)
Implementation resources
Leadership commitment
Demonstrate support and commitment to safe and appropriate antibiotic use in your facility.
- Creating a Culture to Improve Antibiotic Use in Nursing Homes
- Stewardship Leadership Commitment Letter for Nursing Homes
Accountability
Identify physician, nursing and pharmacy leads responsible for promoting and overseeing antibiotic stewardship activities in your facility.
Drug expertise
Establish access to consultant pharmacists or other individuals with experience or training in antibiotic stewardship for your facility.
Action
Implement at least one policy or practice to improve antibiotic use in your facility.
- Appendix A: Policy and Practice Actions to Improve Antibiotic Use
- Toolkit to Improve Antibiotic Use in Long-Term Care | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- Stewardship Commitment Poster for Nursing Homes
- Minnesota Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Resources for Long-term Care Facilities | Minnesota Department of Health
- For Nursing Homes | Rochester Patient Safety Collaborative | University of Rochester
- Antimicrobial Stewardship in Long-Term Care Facilities | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Tracking
Monitor at least one process measure of antibiotic use and at least one outcome from antibiotic use in your facility.
- Appendix B: Measures of Antibiotic Prescribing, Use and Outcomes
- Appendix C: Data Sources, Elements, and Measures for Tracking Antibiotic Use in Nursing Homes
- Infection Tracking Logs | Center for Long-Term Care Quality and Innovation | Brown University
Reporting
Provide regular feedback on antibiotic use and resistance to prescribing clinicians, nursing staff and other relevant staff for your facility.
Education
Provide resources to clinicians, nursing staff, LTC residents, and families about antimicrobial resistance and opportunities for improving antibiotic use.