Dell Medical School Antimicrobial Stewardship Project
Interested in Participating?
Contact the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team at DSHS:
Phone: (737) 256-8105
Dell Medical School Project Goal:
The Dell Medical collaboration pilot project aims to reduce Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) rates in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Public Health Region 7 through the implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS) practices. Tools from this effort will be disseminated statewide.
Dell Medical School Project Objectives:
- Provide tools to improve Antimicrobial Use (AU) in LTCFs in Texas.
- Reduce AR by promoting the use of evidence-based diagnostic protocols and treatment guidelines for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in LTCFs across Texas.
- Improve tracking of AU in LTCFs in Texas.
Why this matters:
- AR is a major global health issue, causing around 2.9 million infections and 36,000 deaths annually.
- Outpatient antimicrobial prescription prescribing rates are highest in the Southern U.S. and continue to rise, per CDC 2022 Antibiotic Use Report.
- Nursing home (NH)/Skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents may be vulnerable to AR infections due to pre-existing conditions and high AU.
- AS refers to a set of commitments and activities designed to optimize the treatment of infections with appropriate AU while reducing the adverse events associated with AU.
What’s Involved?
- Provider Education: Participants will receive updated evidence-based guidance on UTI treatment.
- Staff Education: Staff members will follow evidence-based protocols for urine collection to ensure accurate test results and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
- Resident and Family Engagement: Ensuring everyone is informed and engaged.
- Data Collection: Information on UTI diagnostic criteria and antibiotic use will be shared with facility staff and providers.