Antimicrobial Use, Resistance, and Stewardship (Clinical Elective)

2 units

In 2019, the CDC estimated that 2.6 million Americans develop an infection with an antimicrobial resistant (AMR) organism each year; of these individuals, nearly 44,000 will die from their infection. Worldwide, more than 250,000 children die annually at least in part from infections due to AMR organism. The primary driver of AMR is the use – and, more importantly, the misuse – of antibiotics. Approximately 20% of pediatric ambulatory and emergency department visits result in an antibiotic prescription, and between 35-70% of hospitalized children receive at least one dose of an antibiotic during their hospitalization. Of these antibiotics, more than 30% are thought to be prescribed inappropriately. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) aim to combat AMR but ensuring the judicious use of antibiotics within healthcare systems. This elective rotation will be focused on educating students on the current state of domestic and global antibiotic resistance and the mechanisms by which healthcare systems are addressing the problem of AMR. Students will participate in the daily antimicrobial stewardship activities conducted by the St. Louis Children's Hospital ASP, attend weekly stewardship and clinical infectious diseases meetings, and review antimicrobial use data.