Immediate Reduction in Clostridioides difficile and Cost in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Faced with requirements for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), tight financial margins, and increasing antimicrobial costs and C. difficile rates, most skilled nursing facilities assign an existing team member the additional task developing an AMS program. This CMO took a different route by investing in a turnkey, established AMS program that got results in weeks versus years.
The ARS Program was implemented in eight skilled nursing facilities across Indiana in February. Within months, there was a significant decrease in C. difficile with a 78% reduction in positive C. difficile tests, less tests ordered, and reduction in testing cost. Concurrently, each facility realized reduced antimicrobial expenditures by approximately $80,000 per year.
“The ARS Stewardship Program launched in February and had an almost immediate impact on our facilities.” Chief Medical Officer
