Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them and then continue to grow. These resistant infections can be difficult – and sometimes impossible – to treat and have the potential to affect people at any stage of life.
Iowa HHS collaborates with community partners through a One Health approach to understand and prevent antimicrobial resistance and improve our state’s human, animal and environmental health.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Healthcare
Antimicrobial stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. This work is critical to effectively treating infections, protecting patients from harm caused by unnecessary antimicrobial use, and eliminating resistant bacteria.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives healthcare providers and facilities fundamental strategies to improve antibiotic use, advancing patient safety and improving outcomes.
Animals can spread more than half of all infections people contract, including diseases like rabies, Salmonella and West Nile virus. Recognizing that Iowans’ health is tied to the health of animals and our shared environment, Iowa HHS follows the One Health approach.
Experts from various disciplines, such as physicians, veterinarians, researchers, engineers and agronomists, collaborate to improve the health of people and animals, including pets, livestock and wildlife.
Antimicrobial-resistant infections are a growing threat. Antimicrobial stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how clinicians prescribe antimicrobials and how patients use them.
Antimicrobial stewardship requires commitment from veterinary personnel, human healthcare providers and consumers to ensure that our medicines remain effective for everyone.
Instructional Guide for Antimicrobial Stewardship Champions
How can you be your practice’s antimicrobial stewardship champion? Read this short guide to understand antimicrobial resistance better and learn how to start an antimicrobial stewardship program in your practice.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Template
How can you develop an effective antimicrobial stewardship program? Customize this simple document (Word) to meet your practice’s unique needs and goals.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Presentation
How can you get the rest of your team on board? Download this presentation (PDF) that includes talking points. You can customize it by converting it to a PowerPoint file or requesting the file by emailing hai-ar@hhs.iowa.gov.
Iowa HHS Webinar
Watch this webinar from Iowa HHS, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH) that describes all the resources developed for Iowa.
