Every day, health care providers across Virginia and Maryland strive to improve health in their communities. However, inappropriate antibiotic prescribing practices are putting patients at risk for super-resistant infections,
Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and other complications. Each year, two million U.S. patients are affected by resistant infections; 23,000 of those patients will die.
By working together, we can improve the use of antibiotics and protect patients from resistant infections. Health Quality Innovators (HQI), the Quality Innovation Network for Maryland and Virginia, invites emergency departments, physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers and other outpatient facilities to join a new initiative: Combatting Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria through Antibiotic Stewardship in Communities (CARB-TASC).
This no-cost project will help you implement the four core elements of antibiotic stewardship developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The four elements will help you:
1) Make a commitment; 2) Take action; 3) Track and report; and 4) Provide education and expertise.
There are no data reporting requirements for participating clinicians and you can implement the CDC's four elements at a pace that works for your practice or facility. HQI will provide talking points, strategies and resources to help you educate patients and families about the appropriate use of antibiotics. In addition, implementing an antibiotic stewardship program is one of the approved quality improvement activities available to clinicians participating in the Merit-based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS).
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