In an age where antimicrobial resistance amongst pathogens grows more prevalent, particularly in the hospital setting, antimicrobial stewardship is an evidence-based, proven measure in the battle against resistance and infection.

This single comprehensive, definitive reference work is written by an international team of acknowledged experts in the field. The authors explore the effective use of coordinated antimicrobial interventions to change prescribing practice and help slow the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, ensuring that antimicrobials remain an effective treatment for infection.

Amongst the first of its kind, this book provides infectious disease physicians, administrators, laboratory, pharmacy, nursing and medical staff with practical guidance in setting up antimicrobial stewardship programs in their institutions with the aim of selecting the optimal antimicrobial drug regimen, dose, duration of therapy, and route of administration.

Part I: Overview of Antibiotic Stewardship


Ch.1: Principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Ch 2:Clinical Perspective of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Ch 3: History of Antimicrobial Stewardship
Ch 4: The Importance of Education in Antimicrobial Stewardship

Part II: Antibiotic Resistance Principles in Antibiotic Stewardship

Ch 5: Intrinsic and Acquired Mechanisms of Resistance
Ch 6: Antimicrobial Resistance: Selection vs. Induction
Ch 7:Colonization and its importance for emergence of clinical resistance
Ch 8: Antibiotic Resistance: associations and implications for antibiotic usage strategies to control multi-resistant bacteria

Part III: Microbiology Laboratory Role in Antibiotic Stewardship

Ch 9:The role of active surveillance in the prevention of healthcare-acquired infections and antibiotic stewardship
Ch 10:Role of Antibiogram in Antibiotic Stewardship
Ch 11: Selective Reporting and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Ch 12:Role of New Diagnostics to Enhance Antibiotic Stewardship Efforts

Part IV: Infection Control Aspects of Antibiotic Stewardship

Ch 13: Epidemiology of S aureus and enterococci in children and an overview of antimicrobial resistance
Ch 14: Epidemiology of multi-drug resistant gram-negative organisms
Ch 15: Pathogenesis and Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile Infection: Implications for Antibiotic Stewardship
Ch 16:Role of the Hospital Epidemiologist in Supporting Antimicrobial Stewardship


Part V: Pharmacokinetic (PK) & Pharmacodynamic (PD) Aspects of Antibiotic Dosing in Antibiotic Stewardship

Ch 17: Principles of Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic Optimization for Antibiotic Dosing
Ch 18: Optimal use of Gram-negative antibiotics in the real world: providing effective therapy while minimizing resistance
Ch19: Optimal Use of Fluoroquinolones
Ch 20: Optimal Use of Beta-lactam Antibiotics
Ch 21: Current Approach to Optimal Use and Dosing of Vancomycin in Adult Patients
Ch 22: Principles of IV to PO Switch


Part VI: Pharmacy Department Role in Antibiotic Stewardship

Ch 23: Role of Pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship
Ch 24: Formulary Management and Economic Considerations; Bridging the Gap between Quality Care and Cost
Ch 25: Approaches in benchmarking
Ch 26: Development and execution of stewardship interventions
Ch 27:Technologic support for antimicrobial stewardship


Part VII: Measuring Outcomes in Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

Ch 28: Role of Guidelines and Statistical Milestones for Antimicrobial Stewardship
Ch 29: Economic considerations of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs
Ch 30: Pharmacoeconomic Implications of Antimicrobial Adverse Events
Ch 31: Antimicrobial stewardship programs in areas of increased pathogen resistance



Part VIII: Antimicrobial Stewardship and Various Practice Sites

Ch 32:Role of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Pediatrics
Ch 33: Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Intensive Care Unit
Ch 34: Role of Antimicrobial Stewardship in a Community Hospital
Ch 35: Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT)
Ch 36: The Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Antimicrobial Stewardship: Immersion of Future Healthcare Professionals
Ch 37: Antimicrobial Stewardship and the Importance of Working with the Government and Pharmaceutical Industry
Ch 38: Hospitalist Perspective on the Role of Antimicrobial Stewardship