Standardizing pharmacist competency in antimicrobial stewardship across diverse hospital settings
Erin Weslander, Rishita Shah, Erica Emvica Cash, Radhika S Polisetty, Sheila K Wang, Jason Park, Sarah Sutton, Michael Dickens, Christie Bertram, Jaime Borkowski, Michael PostelnickAbstract
Purpose
The creation and implementation of a system-wide frontline pharmacist antimicrobial stewardship (AS) competency curriculum are explained.
Summary
Pharmacists are present throughout hospital environments and frequently play a pivotal role in optimizing infection management. However, frontline clinical pharmacists working across inpatient settings vary greatly in terms of training, expertise, years of experience, and background as they relate to infectious diseases (ID) and AS. Establishing a uniform level of ID and AS competency among pharmacists across all hospital departments and shifts is essential to optimizing the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Across a diverse 11-hospital health system, an innovative curriculum, “The Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Curriculum,” was implemented to help standardize care for patients with infections. Core modules incorporated gamified elements, case-based activities, knowledge checks, and visual learning aids. Tactics included system-wide automatic assignment, targeted onboarding for new hires, and strategic use of reminders to ensure completion. Annual feedback cycles and postimplementation surveys guided iterative improvements and module updates, focusing on engagement, efficiency, and practical application.
Conclusion
An innovative, interactive curriculum successfully standardized AS competency across a diverse health system. Key implementation strategies including system leadership buy-in, modular design, interactive learning, and responsive updates enabled efficient dissemination, high engagement, and improvement of pharmacist competence in applying knowledge of AS topics to patient care.