Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals Achieve Recognition for Antimicrobial Stewardship

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health system, is proud to announce that five of its hospitals were recognized as Gold Antimicrobial Stewardship Recognition Program award recipients by the New Jersey Department of Health. Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center were all recognized for their efforts to improve antibiotic use, advance patient safety and improve outcomes.

“Hackensack Meridian Health is focused on transforming the way healthcare is delivered to the patients and communities we serve,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are so proud of our hospitals for providing the safest, highest quality care, and this latest award from the New Jersey Department of Health is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our world-class team members who continue to elevate the standard of care in New Jersey and beyond."

Awards were presented on December 6, at a ceremony and conference held at the Middlesex College, Edison, NJ. These awards follow the observance of Antibiotic Awareness Week, an annual recognition hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the month of November, to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate antibiotic use to combat the threat of antibiotic resistance.

“Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate, safe care,” said Jose Azar, M.D., executive vice president and chief quality officer for Hackensack Meridian Health. "This recognition from the New Jersey Department of Health underscores our commitment to safety and improving outcomes for the patients and communities we serve. We look forward to continuing to deliver excellent outcomes for our patients."

The New Jersey Antimicrobial Stewardship Recognition Awards is a voluntary incentive program that encourages health care facilities to submit stewardship materials in concordance with CDC’s Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship, a set of key principles to guide efforts to improve antibiotic use and advance patient safety and improve outcomes.

The complexity of antimicrobial use, reporting, tracking, and education in addition to the variability in health care facility size and types of care require flexible programs and activities.