Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Call to Action for Surgeons

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Management
• Surgical Practice

Background:

• Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are crucial for optimizing antimicrobial use but have limited coverage in hospitals and specific service lines.
• The essential interventions for ASP success are not fully defined, highlighting a need for broader implementation and standardization.
• Provider engagement is vital for standardizing antimicrobial use within institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the critical role of surgeons in the establishment and support of antimicrobial stewardship programs.
• To advocate for increased surgeon participation in combating antimicrobial resistance through judicious antibiotic prescribing.

Main Methods:

• This study is a conceptual analysis and advocacy piece, not an empirical research study.
• It synthesizes current understanding of ASPs and highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Main Results:

• Limited coverage of ASPs across healthcare settings hinders their overall effectiveness.
• Surgeon involvement is identified as a key factor for successful antimicrobial stewardship and standardization.
• The emergence of antimicrobial resistance necessitates a global effort involving all healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• Surgeons play a pivotal role in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
• Judicious antibiotic use by surgeons is essential for maximizing clinical cure and minimizing resistance.
• Active engagement by surgeons in stewardship programs is crucial for maintaining their autonomy in patient treatment.