The ICB Medicines Optimisation Team have shared the info below, which has been recently shared by the UKHSA:
- Antimicrobial Prescribing and Stewardship (APS) Competency Framework https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/antimicrobial-prescribing-and-stewardship-competencies
Antimicrobial Prescribing and Stewardship (APS) Competency Framework:
The updated antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship (APS) competency framework contains 103 descriptors relating to necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes for prescribers across 6 different domains:
- Person-centred care
- Infection prevention and control
- Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobials
- Prescribing antimicrobials (diagnosis and use of antimicrobial agents)
- Antimicrobial stewardship principles
- Monitoring, learning, and interprofessional practice
The contents of the APS competency framework should be used by all prescribers of antimicrobials across different care settings to support the development of their prescribing practice at any point in their professional development in relation to prescribing antimicrobials and embodying stewardship practices.
The aim of the framework is to improve the quality of antimicrobial treatment and stewardship and reduce the risks of inadequate, inappropriate, and adverse effects of antimicrobial treatment. This can improve the safety and quality of patient care and make a significant contribution to the reduction in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship is an important element of the following:
The update of the APS competency framework involved a UK-wide Delphi process involving contributions from 59 multidisciplinary professionals from a range of disciplines and further review from 33 professionals prior to final publication.
