Antimicrobial Stewardship: 'Start Smart - then focus'

The aim of this guidance is to provide an outline of evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship in the secondary healthcare setting. Following this Guidance will help organisations to demonstrate compliance with Criterion 9 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance Guidance on meeting this criterion states: “Procedures should be in place to ensure prudent prescribing and antimicrobial stewardship. There should be an ongoing programme of audit, revision and update. In healthcare this is usually monitored by the antimicrobial management team or local prescribing advisors”