Patients who are given unnecessary antibiotics are placed at serious risk, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this misuse of antibiotics contributes antibiotic resistance, which is one of the most serious threats to public health, leading to 23,000 deaths annually.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is continuing to honor facilities that have an antimicrobial stewardship program and are working to improve antibiotic use through education, targeted activities and assessment. This is an opportunity for hospitals to be publicly recognized for leading efforts to reduce antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes. The department will list names of facilities with an antimicrobial stewardship program and details about program leadership on the DOH Antibiotic Stewardship webpage.
To apply, please submit the attached application to DOH by Sept. 15. The honor roll will be updated quarterly in 2016 as new hospitals apply. To obtain the application or for questions about this program, please contact Kelly Kauber at Kelly.kauber@DOH.wa.gov or (206) 418-5589. (Meg Kilcup)
