AMS Policy Development and Implementation in Aged Care
Kristin Xenos1
1 Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, GPO Box 5480, Sydney, NSW, 2001, kristin.xenos@safetyandquality.gov.au
There is a high burden of infection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aged care homes. This is coupled with high levels of inappropriate antimicrobial use. Older people can be at a greater risk of experiencing adverse effects from antimicrobials as they are more likely to have immunosuppression, take other medicines and have comorbidities. Data from Australian Passive AMR Surveillance (APAS), National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances (CARAlert) and the Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey inform this picture. Responding to this data by strengthening the Aged Care Quality Standards is important to improve the appropriate use of antimicrobials in aged care. These data highlight target areas of antibiotics used for asymptomatic bacteriuria, topical antimicrobials and long term prophylaxis antimicrobials. Further opportunities to support implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in the sector includes additional guidance on the AMS Clinical Care Standards which can be optimised by increased on-site pharmacists in aged care homes. This presentation covers why specific AMS policy in the aged care sector is so important, unique challenges for AMS in this setting and what measures are available to optimise implementation of AMS.