Introduction

The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care” is the meaning of stewardship. Antimicrobial stewardship refers to the systematic measurement and coordinated interventions designed to promote the optimal use of antimicrobial agents, by advocating the selection of appropriate antimicrobial drug regimens based on evidence (including dosing, duration of therapy, and route of administration). Today, AMS is one of three “pillars” of an integrated strategy for strengthening health systems, whereas the other two are medicine & patient safety and infection prevention and control (IPC).

Here are the Core competencies for antimicrobial prescribing. 

There are core competencies for antimicrobial prescribing that we should all be aware of:

• C1: Understand the patient and the patient’s clinical needs
• C2: Understand treatment options and how they should support the patient’s clinical needs
• C3: Works in partnership with the patient and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement a treatment plan
• C4: Communicate the treatment plan and its rationale clearly to the patient and other healthcare professionals
• C5: Monitors and reviews the patient’s response to treatment