Work

Telehealth: The Way for Efficient, Comprehensive, and Equitable Antimicrobial Stewardship in the US Healthcare System

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rural and critical access hospitals serve 15% of the United States population and utilize antibiotics at similar rates and spectrum as larger urban hospitals, making them a priority for antimicrobial stewardship. However, barriers such as insufficient personnel, limited electronic health record capabilities, and financial constraints limit stewardship initiatives. Telestewardship partnerships with urban hospitals offer a promising solution; however, a structured process to develop and implement such programs is not established. This perspective focuses on unmet needs in rural hospitals to provide future direction for improved patient care in these settings. In 2024, UW Health engaged leaders of small and rural hospitals to design a telestewardship program that meets regulatory requirements (ie, Joint Commission Standards). Despite these requested services, financial barriers hindered implementation of telestewardship partnerships. This work underscores the opportunities and challenges faced by rural hospitals and the ongoing need for state and national funding to support these communities.

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf713

Authors: Courtney J Baus, Shivani Patel, Alexander J Lepak, Warren E Rose

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, UW Health University Hospital, Mount Carmel Health

Language: English

Topic: Antibiotic Use and Resistance

Subfield: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,053