Experts Show Support for Policies to Improve Use of Antibiotics in the 21st Century Cures Act

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) says it applauds the inclusion of language in the 21st Century Cures Act to aid hospitals and health systems in the fight against antibiotic resistance in the U.S. By including “Antimicrobial Innovation and Stewardship” provision in this bill, Congress is demonstrating strong commitment to controlling the threat of antimicrobial resistance through science-based policy.

Congress’ actions build on the efforts of the Obama Administration to tackle antibiotic resistance with a renewed national commitment. SHEA says it supports the “Antimicrobial Innovation and Stewardship” provision that includes new requirements relating to antimicrobial use, stewardship, and the development of new antimicrobials, which are imperative to ensuring effective antibiotic treatments, will be readily available for generations of Americans to come.

This week, SHEA held the Antimicrobial Stewardship Research Workshop to prepare healthcare professionals to further national and healthcare based research to improve the use and effectiveness of antibiotics. The meeting, supported by an unrestricted grant from Merck & Co. as a part of their commitment to the National Strategy for Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria, helps build a network of healthcare professionals with the knowledge and understanding of research methods to design, implement, disseminate, and assess projects related to antimicrobial stewardship.

SHEA says we can fight back on antimicrobial resistant bacteria, but only through commitment as a community united to address the issue head on, using evidence-based strategies such as stewardship in all clinical settings, and working together to provide our patients and our communities at large with better care. SHEA says it looks forward to continuing the dialogue and collaborating with government, industry, and other stakeholders to address this critical issue.

Source: SHEA