How is SIDP Working to Improve Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in LTC Facilities?

Alan Gross, PharmD, BCPS-AQID, clinical assistant professor, Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy explains how the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) is working on improving antibiotic stewardship programs in long-term care facilities, as they have been lacking or non-existent. One of the efforts focuses on developing a training program to help pharmacists meet the upcoming CMS requirenments for antimicrobial stewardship. Dr. Gross also explains how the CMS requirements, set to go live in November 2017, are going to require LTCs to have policies in place for antibiotic use and to track all antibiotics used.