Long-term Care Stewardship

Antibiotic stewardship is critical to improving the treatment of infections, protecting long-term care residents from unintended consequences of antibiotic use, and helping combat antibiotic resistance. The data presented on this page reflect the implementation of the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes.

The implementation of antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities is assessed through the National Healthcare Safety Network's (NHSN) Long-term Care Facility Component Annual Facility Survey. Annual surveys are completed by staff in the long-term care facilities, including certified skilled nursing facilities/nursing homes. Survey questions relating to antibiotic stewardship gauge a facility’s uptake of CDC’s Core elements of antibiotic stewardship. Facility responses are mapped to the seven core elements of antibiotic stewardship: leadership commitment, accountability, drug expertise, action, tracking, reporting, and education.