Researcher, doctor, scientist or laboratory assistant working with plastic medical tubes in modern lab or hospital

One recent university study suggests infection preventionists are largely ignored during antimicrobial stewardship programs, reports Infection Control Today.

A program for antimicrobial stewardship endorses the use of antimicrobials — like antibiotics — and aims to reduce microbial resistance, as well as the spread of infection, according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Researchers at the University of South Florida College of Public Health found that these stewardship programs are increasingly rejecting the help of infection preventionists, and also don’t think much about the work they do.

The university study, which was published in the American Journal of Infection Control, found that the lack of roles given to infection preventionists during antimicrobial stewardship programs is preventing these experts from sharing their talents.

Infection Control Today does question the University of South Florida study due to its small sample size. In total, less than 30 infection preventionists, pharmacists and hospital executives were surveyed for the study evaluating experts’ opinions on infection preventionists.

For more on the study results, as well as Infection Control Today’s analysis of the findings, click here.