Quality statements
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard includes eight quality statements describing the key components of care that patients can expect when they have, or are suspected of having, an infection.
Goals of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard
To ensure the appropriate use and review of antimicrobials to optimise patient outcomes, lessen the harms of adverse effects and reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
To ensure that a patient receives optimal antimicrobial therapy for the treatment or prevention of an infection, including assurance when an antimicrobial is not needed. This means using the right antimicrobial to treat the condition, at the right dose, at the right frequency, by the right route of administration, at the right time and for the right duration, based on accurate assessment and timely review.
Scope of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard
This clinical care standard relates to the care all people (neonates, children, young adults and adults) should receive when they have, or are suspected of having, an infection or require an antimicrobial for prophylaxis. It covers patient care from the time of prophylaxis or diagnosis to cure of an infection and has been developed for use in a variety of healthcare settings. It also includes the consideration of conditions for which antimicrobials are not recommended.
The quality statements
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard includes eight quality statements describing the key components of care that patients can expect when they have, or are suspected of having, an infection. It supports the provision of high-quality, evidence-based care, taking into account the context in which care is provided, local variation and the quality improvement priorities of the individual health services.
The quality statements are linked to a number of indicators to support monitoring of quality improvement. Follow the links below to read each quality statement in full.