OhioHealth Becomes a Global Leader in Antimicrobial Stewardship with bioMérieux Partnership
OhioHealth and bioMérieux Form Strategic Partnership
In a significant advancement towards improving healthcare, OhioHealth, a notable healthcare system based in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized as the newest Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Center of Excellence by bioMérieux. This partnership holds vital importance not just for Ohio, but on a national scale, as OhioHealth becomes only the fourth organization in the United States to receive this prestigious designation, and notably the first regional healthcare system.
The establishment of the bioMérieux AMS Center of Excellence initiative aims to culminate global efforts towards combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing public health dilemma. AMR is projected to become the leading cause of death worldwide by 2050, surpassing even cancer. The partnership underscores the necessity of innovative diagnostic practices, essential for improving patient care and effectively managing infectious diseases.
A Commitment to Excellence
By integrating advanced diagnostic tools and fostering a collaborative approach to antimicrobial stewardship, OhioHealth intends to set a national benchmark for patient safety and restoration of health. Andrea K. Smith, Senior Director of Laboratory Services at OhioHealth, eloquently stated, “For our system microbiology laboratory to be recognized as an AMS Center of Excellence by bioMérieux serves as validation for our mission and dedication to patient-centered care.” This commitment highlights OhioHealth’s vision and dedication to ensuring optimal outcomes for all patients.
As part of its conferred responsibilities, the OhioHealth Microbiology Laboratory plays a critical role in guiding appropriate antibiotic prescriptions based on early and accurate diagnostic testing. This strategic direction aims to eradicate unnecessary prescriptions and foster better patient recovery outcomes. Furthermore, with the aid of bioMérieux, diagnostics are poised to cut healthcare costs by limiting broad-spectrum antibiotic usage, which consequently decreases hospital stays and readmission rates.
The Significance of Diagnostics
“Diagnostics are among the most powerful tools we have in the fight against AMR,” remarked Jennifer Zinn, Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations at bioMérieux. By joining OhioHealth in this initiative, there is an opportunity to enhance contributions across the healthcare spectrum, involving clinicians, lab specialists, pharmacists and beyond. This collective expertise is essential for driving impactful changes in practices, encouraging innovation, and ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
The collaborative framework of bioMérieux includes assistance in providing advanced diagnostic technologies, IT and lab automation solutions, along with training and quality management support tailored for OhioHealth’s unique AMS initiatives. This joined effort underscores the core mission to enhance patient care while controlling the proliferation of AMR.
Global Outreach and Future Aspirations
The AMS Centers of Excellence program, initiated in 2021 by bioMérieux, aims to spotlight the pressing issues of AMR and promote the integration of cutting-edge diagnostic solutions into AMS frameworks globally. Beyond the collaboration with OhioHealth, bioMérieux partners with numerous leading hospitals across 13 countries, underscoring a broader commitment to tackling AMR challenges.
The burden of AMR is not negligible; a landmark study published in The Lancet indicated that around 4.95 million annual deaths were linked to bacterial AMR, with almost 1.27 million deaths directly attributable to it as of 2019. In the U.S. alone, the CDC reported that at least 2.8 million people acquire antibiotic-resistant infections annually, resulting in more than 35,000 fatalities.
For additional details on the AMS Centers of Excellence program, you can visit bioMérieux's official webpage.
Conclusion
The partnership between OhioHealth and bioMérieux marks a pivotal movement towards enhancing healthcare delivery through improved AMS practices. With a focus on innovative diagnostic solutions and patient-centered care, this initiative not only benefits Ohio residents but also sets a precedent for healthcare systems worldwide, demonstrating the power of collaboration in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Topics Health）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.