Top publications for advancing state and local health department antimicrobial stewardship programs

Expanded public health (PH) antimicrobial stewardship (AS) funding to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)/Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) programs led to hiring of pharmacists with AS expertise in health departments. A PH pharmacists' community of practice (CoP) consisting of pharmacists who work for local, state, and federal PH agencies was initiated to share resources and activities from PH AS interventions and collaborations. The objective of this evaluation was to characterize publications identified by PH pharmacists' CoP that helped advance AS implementation by PH agencies.

In March 2024, a 34-item electronic questionnaire was developed and distributed to the PH pharmacists' CoP requesting nominations of articles that highlight interventions and data sources essential to PH AS practice. Respondents were asked to submit 1-10 scientific articles published from 2014 to 2023 most relevant to their work in PH AS implementation and/or in achieving programmatic deliverables. Articles with ≥ 3 nominations were selected for review.

Of 39 PH pharmacists in the CoP, 24 (62%) responded with 106 article nominations. Respondents held state-level positions (83%), had <2 years of PH AS experience (54%), and were often from the southeastern United States (25%). Publications in acute care settings were most frequent (54, 51%), followed by outpatient (47, 44%), and long-term care (45, 42%). A total of eleven articles were selected for review.

Scientific publications impactful to AS PH practice can serve as a valuable resource for AS programs and pharmacists in PH. Dissemination of PH AS activities can inform enhancement of AS programs in the PH sector.