Hackensack University Medical Center’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Awarded 2019 Gold Steward Award by the New Jersey Department of Health

Hackensack University Medical Center recognized for dedication to antimicrobial stewardship at New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaborative Annual Conference

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center announced today that its Antimicrobial Stewardship Program was awarded the 2019 Gold Steward by the New Jersey Department of Health. Hackensack University Medical Center received this top recognition for its dedication to antimicrobial stewardship at the New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaborative Annual Conference on Thursday, December 5.

“Hackensack University Medical Center is committed to providing high quality, safe care to our patients,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center and executive vice president of Population Health, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Antibiotic resistance is one of today’s major public health threats, and we are proud of our work to establish our leading-edge Antimicrobial Stewardship Program to combat this issue. We look forward to strengthening our program and discovering new, innovative solutions to protect patients and reduce this global threat.”

Antimicrobial stewardship refers to a set of The New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Recognition Program recognizes excellence, encourages the development of more stewardship programs and gives much-needed recognition of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs. Based on the level of difficulty of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs interventions, hospitals are awarded either the Gold, Silver or Bronze Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence.

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Hackensack University Medical Center is led by Rani Sebti, MD, infectious diseases specialist, with Patrick Lake, PharmD, BCIDP and Siddharth Swamy, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, clinical pharmacy specialists in infectious diseases. The goal of the program is to optimize antibiotic use, ensuring the right antibiotic is used for the right patient and for an appropriate duration.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 2.8 million people acquire an antibiotic-resistant infection every year in our country, and anti-biotic resistant bacteria claims over 35,000 lives,” said Dr. Sebti.

“The New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Recognition Program distinguishes antimicrobial stewardship programs like Hackensack University Medical Center’s that are on the frontlines in the fight against antibiotic resistance and paving the way for similar programs.”

The New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Recognition Program was launched by the New Jersey Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Service (CDS) in 2019. The New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Recognition Program acknowledges programs that they have met or exceeded the minimum criteria for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Core Elements of Antimicrobial Stewardship. The CDC’s Core Elements of Antimicrobial Stewardship is considered the blueprint for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs.