Antimicrobial tele-stewardship strategies and their application to the rural outpatient setting

To review the variety of antimicrobial tele-stewardship strategies and their applicability to the rural outpatient context.

Narrative review of antimicrobial tele-stewardship activities and their potential adaptability to rural outpatient settings.

Few studies evaluate implementation and outcomes of antimicrobial stewardship in rural settings. In this review we summarize the variety of methods that have been used in tele-stewardship implementation research, and how each can be adapted to the rural outpatient setting, including: audit and feedback, peer comparison, provider education, guideline creation, consultation with infectious disease providers, and electronic medical record nudges.

Tele-stewardship activities are likely to benefit outpatient rural settings, though further implementation research is needed.