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Author Spotlight: Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
Published on: March 17, 2023
The role of the microbiology laboratory in antimicrobial stewardship programs
Edina Avdic1, Karen C Carroll2
1Department of Pharmacy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Osler 425, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Abstract:
One of the impediments to the success of antimicrobial stewardship is the lack of availability of rapid and sensitive laboratory tests. The last decade has seen an explosion in new technologies that permit, in less than 4 hours, the identification of organisms and their resistance markers. In addition, the use of biomarkers has been explored in algorithms to distinguish infections that require antimicrobial agents. Clinical microbiology laboratories also contribute to the success of stewardship programs through compilation of aggregate antimicrobial susceptibility data. This article reviews rapid diagnostics, the use of biomarkers, and antibiogram development to antimicrobial stewardship activities and the subsequent impact on patient outcomes.
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