Finding an effective solution to the ongoing threat of antimicrobial resistance is of critical importance across healthcare sectors, including veterinary medicine. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) effectively reduce the development of resistance through the promotion of judicious use of antimicrobial drugs. These programs are well-established in human healthcare, but, until recently, had not been incorporated in veterinary medicine.
In 2018, the Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Working Group (ASWG) at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU-CVM) took the initiative to develop and implement a comprehensive ASP. This program supports the judicious use of antimicrobial drugs through the education of future veterinarians and the support of veterinary clinicians, providing clinical microbiology and pharmacy expertise supported by surveillance data from the OSU Veterinary Medical Center (OSU-VMC).
The ASWG recognizes the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship practices in veterinary medicine beyond the academic setting. In 2020, the ASWG launched the BuckeyeASP, a certification program that supports partnerships between the OSU ASWG and private veterinary practices throughout the state of Ohio. This program is intended to provide resources and expertise for the effective implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in these practices and expand the impact of these programs in veterinary medicine.