ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP: A GLOBAL APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE ANTIMICROBIAL USE

Anumita Malviya, Dr. Akash Yadav*, Dr. Neelam Balekar, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Jain

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic stewardship is a critical strategy to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a significant risk to global public health. This review explores the role of antibiotic stewardship in preventing and managing postoperative infections in Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS), a highly effective technique for treating skin cancers. Despite the low incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in MMS, ranging from 0.7% to 3.4%, certain risk factors such as immunosuppression, diabetes, and complex reconstructions can increase infection risk. Current guidelines recommend against routine antibiotic prophylaxis, advocating instead for a targeted approach based on individual patient risk factors. Antibiotic stewardship principles emphasize the judicious use of antibiotics, limiting their duration, and employing alternative strategies such as antimicrobial dressings and rapid diagnostic tools. Challenges include addressing patient and provider misconceptions about antibiotic use and managing the rise of resistant pathogens like methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This review highlights the importance of evidence- based practices, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing research to optimize antibiotic use in MMS, ensuring effective infection prevention while minimizing resistance and adverse effects.

Keywords: Urinary tract infection, Upper Respiratory tract, Osteoarticular infection, Postoperative infection in MOHS.