IDPS | Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobial Stewardship

The DSHS Antimicrobial Stewardship Program’s mission is to provide direction for the development of a collaborative statewide program that empowers healthcare providers and the public with evidence-based information, education, and tools necessary to use antimicrobials judiciously and limit the emergence and spread of resistance in Texas.

The Department of State Health Services defines “antimicrobial stewardship” as a coordinated approach to promoting and monitoring the appropriate use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness. Antimicrobial stewardship serves to improve patient outcomes, slow the increase in antimicrobial resistance, and decrease adverse drug reactions, antibiotic-associated disease, and healthcare costs.

Membership Opportunity

This committee is seeking new members. The new member application is linked below.

Health and Safety Code § 81.015 requires the establishment of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Regional Advisory Committee in each of Texas’ eight public health regions to address antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care facilities and to improve antimicrobial stewardship through collaborative action. Each committee must consist of:

Physicians
Directors of Nursing or equivalent consultants with long-term care facilities
Public health officials knowledgeable about antibiotic stewardship
Other interested parties

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Regional Advisory Committees are governed by House Bill 1848 (86^th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019).

If you would like to be a founding member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Regional Advisory Committee, please fill out this application. DSHS will not consider an application, received or postmarked, after February 15, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

Meetings will be set during the 2022 calendar year.

For more information, please contact:

Vanessa Pierce
Texas Department of State Health Services
Healthcare Safety Unit
1100 W. 49^th Street, Austin, TX 78756
Fax: 512-323-1900
Email: AntibioticStewardship@dshs.texas.gov
New Member Application

Texas Government Code:

Sec 2110: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.2110.htm
Sec 121.007: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.121.htm#121.007

Health and Safety Code:

Sec. 81.015: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.81.htm

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