Optimizing rapid diagnostics and diagnostic stewardship in Gram‐negative bacteremia

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance remains a high global concern, as it is associated with prolonged hospitalizations, increased morbidity and mortality, and escalating healthcare‐related costs. Rapid diagnostic technology (RDT) has become the cornerstone in achieving prompt blood culture results providing a quicker initiation of optimal therapy, decreased mortality, and decreased spread of resistance. To maximize the benefits of RDTs, antimicrobial stewardship programs must implement a diagnostic stewardship (DS) subgroup to optimize communication, education, and interpretation of RDT results within the healthcare system. The DS subgroup is necessary to evaluate the technologies available, better integrate the selected technologies into the healthcare system, and develop innovative and appropriate use to improve patient outcomes.

Exploring the intersection of racism, antimicrobial resistance, and vaccine equity

“…33 Rapid diagnostic tools that are designed to quickly identify select and predetermined resistance genes have been shown to significantly enhance antimicrobial stewardship programs and improve AMR rates. 34 Nevertheless, such technologies are typically associated with high costs; thus, the likelihood of their placement in hospitals largely populated by minoritized individuals is low. 32,33 The impact of vaccination inequities on antimicrobial resistance…”