Stewardship Spotlight

In this episode, we discuss one of Dr. Mylonakis’s previously published papers, “The Cost-Effectiveness of Rapid Diagnostic Testing for the Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections with or without Antimicrobial Stewardship''. We will focus on how rapid diagnostics, along with stewardship, can improve the quality and cost effectiveness of patient care, resulting in improved patient outcomes.

In this episode, we discuss one of Dr. Timbrook’s previously published papers, “The Effect of Molecular Rapid Diagnostic Testing on Clinical Outcomes in Bloodstream Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”. Our conversation focuses on how rapid diagnostic testing can be paired with antimicrobial stewardship policy to improve clinical outcomes.

In this episode,  we discuss the mini-review entitled “Clinical Utility of Advanced Microbiology Testing Tools” with coauthor Dr. Duane Newton. In the paper, Dr Newton and team explored how to define the clinical utility of novel microbiology technologies. We discuss how to clearly articulate the value proposition of these new technologies to various stakeholders, including clinicians, the clinical laboratory, hospital administrators, and health systems.

Listen to our conversation with Elizabeth Hermsen, PharmD, MBA, Head of Global Antimicrobial Stewardship at Merck. We discuss antimicrobial stewardship gaps in the outpatient setting, where one third of prescriptions for antimicrobials are inappropriate. We also discuss the importance of health literacy, and how improving health literacy may be used as an approach to address antimicrobial resistance.

In this episode, host Marnie Peterson interviews Natalie Vestin, MPH, a Research Associate at CIDRAP and the brains behind the Antimicrobial Stewardship Project. Marnie and Natalie discuss Natalie’s fascinating journey to public health, her work in communicating scientific information to a broad audience, the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial stewardship, and finally, Natalie’s time as an artist in the Pandemic Artist Lab.

Listen to our conversation with Brad Spellberg, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. We discuss his recent New England Journal of Medicine paper, and important issues around sustainable antibiotic discovery and development.

Listen to our discussion with Professor Philip Howard, the current president of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC), regarding the concept of the antibiotic footprint - a new communication tool for the public to reduce antibiotic consumption.