Pediatric Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: The Path Forward

Antibiotic overuse has been well-documented in all populations, including pediatrics. Pediatric pharmacists are valuable and well-integrated within inpatient antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) in children's hospitals. The Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) believes all pharmacists, regardless of practice setting, should receive education to support entry-level stewardship activities in pediatric patients. Additionally, pediatric antibiotic stewardship pharmacist leaders should ideally be trained in both infectious diseases (ID) and pediatrics. Currently, specialized training in pediatric ID lacks standardization due to the paucity of subspecialized training opportunities. This paper provides recommendations to support pediatric ASP training, education, and pharmacist staffing for inpatient programs. Further, it is recommended to ensure protected time is available for daily and longitudinal pediatric ASP activities to support optimal care and prevent burnout. Finally, the PPA supports the evolving role of the pediatric pharmacist in the ambulatory ASP arena and recommends investigations into unique payment modalities.