The UC Davis Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) was established in pediatrics in 2011 and then hospital-wide in 2013 in response to the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. It is a multidisciplinary team of physicians, infectious disease pharmacists, microbiologists, infection preventionists, and a systems analyst who work daily to review medical decision-making to provide both retrospective and real-time assistance in improving antimicrobial use. The UC Davis ASP is dedicated to assisting and educating providers with antimicrobial decision-making so that antimicrobials can be used to maximize benefits, minimize risks to individual and public health, and provide the most significant value for our healthcare dollar.
A clinical rotation is available to pharmacy and physician learners of all disciplines. The pharmacy rotation lasts 2-6 weeks and strives to educate students and residents on stewardship principles, standard tools available to stewardship teams, and the program's practical day-to-day running. Rotators practice prospective audits and feedback and round daily with the ASP attending to review flagged patient records for ASP interventions. They also attend "handshake" rounds in various ICUs throughout the week to learn how front-line nursing staff can be involved in antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention.
The physician rotation lasts two weeks and is an independent study elective. The ASP team will discuss with interested residents their interests and goals for the elective to determine a course plan, including biweekly topic discussions and a schedule that works for them. Most rotators spend most of their time with the ASP pharmacy team practicing prospective audits and feedback. Physician learners also spend time with the ASP, attending weekly "handshake" stewardship rounds with the General Medicine teaching services.