Implementation of the Campaign to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare Settings: 12 Steps to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance Among Hospitalized Adults—Experiences from 3 institutions

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to public health. Health care settings are particularly prone to the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms, which contribute to adverse health outcomes and rising costs. To address this challenge, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Campaign to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare Settings (the Campaign) in March 2002. The Campaign was designed as a nationwide effort to facilitate the implementation of educational and behavioral interventions that will assist clinicians in preventing antimicrobial resistance. The Campaign centers on 4 broad strategies—Prevent Infection, Diagnose and Treat Infection Effectively, Use Antimicrobials Wisely, and Prevent Transmission—and includes multiple evidence-based 12-step programs targeting clinicians who treat specific patient populations, including hos-