In 2018, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) began recognizing “Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence” at hospitals that meet or exceed best practice standards. We are pleased to announce that Nebraska Medicine has recently been designated as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence effective October 2019. As we celebrate #AntibioticAwarenessWeek for 2019, we are reminded of the importance of antimicrobial stewardship as antimicrobial resistance is… Continue Reading
Category: UNMC ASP
Content provided courtesy Dr. Salman Ashraf: Associate Medical Director, Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Assessment and Promotion Program (ASAP) & Medical Director, Nebraska Infection Control Assessment and Promotion Program (ICAP) CDC’s most recent (2019) report on Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States describes 2.8 million infections due to antibiotic resistant organisms in the US resulting in over 35,000 deaths annually. The Division of Infectious Diseases at University… Continue Reading

Bellevue Medical Center (BMC) is a community hospital campus of Nebraska Medicine. In 2017, our Nebraska Medicine Antimicrobial Stewardship Program expanded to include BMC with the expansion of our ASP expertise at our main campus. Danny Schroeder, a pharmacist at BMC, was recruited to lead the stewardship activities on that campus, with expertise provided by Dr. Jasmine Marcelin. In celebrating #AntibioticAwarenessWeek, Danny shares his thoughts… Continue Reading

Antibiotic Awareness Week Proclamation Signing Ceremony CDC has designated November 18 to 24 as US Antibiotic Awareness Week. Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual observance in the United States and around the world to promote the importance of using antibiotic appropriately as a mean to minimize unwanted effects from antibiotic therapy (e.g., adverse reactions, Clostridioides difficile infections) and antibiotic resistance. In recognition of this annual… Continue Reading

The Nebraska Medicine Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) invites you to participate in a research survey entitled: Use of Oral Antibiotic Therapy (OAT) for Definitive Treatment of Uncomplicated Bloodstream Infections (uBSIs): Opportunities for Antimicrobial Stewardship. There are several studies describing successful use of oral antibiotics to treat bloodstream infections, but are clinicians actually using oral antibiotics for bacteremia? The purpose of this study is to evaluate… Continue Reading

Life-threatening infections caused by antimicrobial resistant organisms, commonly referred to as ‘superbugs’ have taken the media by storm. MRSA, VRE, MDRO, KPC, CRE, CDI – all acronyms that put fear in our hearts that one day, we will have run out of treatment options. That one day, our patients will die from infections that we once could cure. Sadly, what was once a threat, is… Continue Reading

The Division of Infectious Diseases is pleased to announce the arrival of our newest Faculty members! Nada Fadul, MD Dr. Fadul will be supporting UNMC’s efforts on various Ryan White awards through the Specialty Care Center, where she will also serve as the Associate Medical Director. In addition, Dr. Fadul will support the General ID and Ortho ID consult services and participate in the clinical,… Continue Reading

The Department of Pharmaceutical and Nutrition Care at Nebraska Medicine and the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) are recruiting for a full-time clinical pharmacist to expand the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and develop an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) program in collaboration with a new Orthopedic Infectious Diseases service line. This is a unique position that allows a candidate… Continue Reading

After almost a year of planning, the First Annual Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit convened on Friday, June 1st, 2018 in La Vista, NE. This conference is the first of its kind in Nebraska in which information on antimicrobial stewardship in various healthcare settings is the focus of the meeting. The conference center was abuzz with excitement as close to 270 healthcare professionals attended the Summit… Continue Reading

The CDC estimates 30% of all antibiotics prescribed in outpatient setting in the US are unnecessary. Similarly 30% of antibiotics used in hospitals are estimated to be unnecessary or incorrectly prescribed. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in long-term care facilities have been found to be even higher in some studies (up to 75%). Improving antibiotic use is essential in the fight against antibiotic resistance. In the US,… Continue Reading