to main content Antibiotic Stewardship | The Joint Commission

Antibiotic Stewardship Resources

Optimizing the use of antibiotics is critical to effectively treat infections, protect patients from harms caused by unnecessary antibiotic use, and combat antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic stewardship programs can help clinicians improve clinical outcomes and minimize harms by improving antibiotic prescribing.

This page provides links to materials developed by The Joint Commission as well as external government resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and those from professional associations and related organizations (e.g. the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, The Pew Charitable Trusts). The tabs at the bottom organize the resources according to source: The Joint Commission, Government Resources and Other Resources.

Information on Joint Commission Standards

As of January 1, 2023, new and revised antibiotic stewardship requirements are applicable to Joint Commission–accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals. The 12 elements of performance (EPs) are included in the “Medication Management” (MM) chapter (Standard MM.09.01.01) and expand upon the current expectations for antibiotic stewardship programs in the hospital setting.
View R3 ReportAntibiotic Stewardship FAQsAsk a standards-related question

Pioneers in Quality Webinar - Joint Commission New and Revised Antibiotic Stewardship Requirements

This webinar describes the key areas and implementation strategies related to the 2023 Antibiotic Stewardship requirements for hospitals.
View the webinar

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)


Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Disclaimer

The Joint Commission’s placement of content on this website is not an endorsement of the source nor of any particular product or service, nor should it be construed as a statement that the source, or its products or services, are superior to those of other companies. Website users acknowledge The Joint Commission may not be the primary source of the content. By accessing and using website resources, website users agree to make no claim of any kind against The Joint Commission for any and all damages that result from use or implementation of any website content. Some items included on these pages were developed several years ago. While much of the content remains relevant, users should be aware that information may not have been updated.