Physician's Corner
Howard Pitluk, MD, MPH, FACS
Vice President for Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer
Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG)
November 13–19 is U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week

This week's observance is meant to raise awareness of the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. 1 Antibiotic Awareness Week is a key component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's) efforts to improve antibiotic stewardship in communities and healthcare facilities. As physicians and healthcare professionals who practice in Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), we know how vital it is to use antibiotics only when indicated and to limit the dosage and duration of these drugs to a minimum for effective outcomes. The use of antibiotics is the single most significant factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world. Up to 50 percent of all antibiotics prescribed are not needed or are not optimally effective as prescribed. 2

HSAG, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for California, is your resource for information pertaining to appropriate antibiotic use in the ambulatory surgery setting. Our infection prevention specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding antibiotic prescribing practices and supply you with tools and technical assistance to maximize the use of antibiotics and minimize the untoward consequences of injudicious prescribing. For more information, links to resources, and printed materials, please visit our website at www.hsag.com/as or call Angela Vassallo, MPH, MS, CIC, FAPIC, Infection Prevention Specialist, HSAG at 480.287.3655 or avassallo@hsag.com .

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/week/overview.html. Accessed on November 16, 2017.
  2. CDC. U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/week/overview.html. Accessed on November 16, 2017.
Provider Resources
Patient and Family Resources
In Partnership with
HSAG Announces New Infection Preventionist for the ASC Project
Angela Vassallo, MPH, MS, CIC, FAPIC
Infection Prevention Specialist
Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG)

 Angela Vassallo, a nationally recognized expert in infection prevention, has joined HSAG as the lead infection preventionist for the Ambulatory Surgical Center-Special Innovation Project (ASC-SIP). Prior to her role with HSAG, she was the director of infection prevention/epidemiology at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. She is also faculty at two universities: West Coast University in Los Angeles, and Providence University in Great Falls, Montana, where she teaches graduate courses in epidemiology, infectious diseases, and health research methods.
 
Ms. Vassallo is certified in infection prevention and control and is a founding member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Fellows program. She is the 2017 president of California APIC, past-president of the Greater LA APIC chapter, and vice-chair of the national APIC Communications Committee. Ms. Vassallo is also the first infection prevention board member of Infectious Disease Association of California (IDAC) and is a founding member of the LA County Department of Public Health Healthcare-Acquired Infection (HAI) Advisory Committee.
 
She has a bachelor’s degree in international service from the American University, Washington, DC; a master’s in healthcare management from West Coast University; and a master’s in public health from the University of Texas, Houston.
Tools & Resources
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week November 13–19, 2017
Learn more about the updated tools and resources from the CDC. Read more.
APIC: Know When Antibiotics are Appropriate
Learn how to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistant infections. Read more.
This material was prepared by Health Services Advisory Group, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for California, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. Publication No. CA-11SOW-ASC-11172017-01