Five steps to high quality antimicrobial stewardship research

• Published in: Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE Vol. 4; no. 1; p. e82
• Main Authors: Langford, Bradley J., Bailey, Pamela, Livorsi, Daniel J., Brown, Kevin A., Advani, Sonali D., Dodds Ashley, Elizabeth, Bearman, Gonzalo, Nori, Priya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Cambridge University Press 2024
• Subjects: Antimicrobial agents; Clinical outcomes; Decision making; Drug resistance; Intervention; Original; Planning; Reproducibility; United States > US; Iowa
• ISSN: 2732-494X; 2732-494X
• DOI: 10.1017/ash.2024.73

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates impactful, reproducible, and scalable antimicrobial stewardship strategies. This review addresses the critical need to enhance the quality of antimicrobial stewardship intervention research. We propose five considerations for authors planning and evaluating antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. Antimicrobial stewards should consider the following mnemonic ABCDE: (A) plan A head using implementation science; (B) B e clear and thoroughly describe the intervention by using the TidIER checklist; (C) Use a C hecklist to comprehensively report study components; (D) Select a study D esign carefully; and (E) Assess E ffectiveness and implementation by selecting meaningful outcomes. Incorporating these recommendations will help strengthen the evidence base of antimicrobial stewardship literature and support optimal implementation of strategies to mitigate AMR.