Upstate University Hospital has received designation as an Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

This designation is reserved for institutions who achieve standards aligned with evidence-based national guidelines from the IDSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Only 23 institutions received this designation this year; 66 institutions have received this designation since the program’s launch in 2017. Upstate is the only hospital in Central New York to receive this designation.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats facing healthcare on a global, national and individual level. In fact, antibiotic-resistant infections are the third leading cause of death in this country. IDSA is fighting antimicrobial resistance on every front, including research, education, training, and through our policy efforts. We are proud to partner with each of the institutions that have received the Centers of Excellence designation in turning the tide against antimicrobial resistance,” said IDSA President Cynthia Sears, MD, FIDSA.

The core criteria for the Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence program places emphasis on an institution’s ability to implement stewardship protocols to optimize the treatment of infections and reduce adverse events associated with antibiotic use by leveraging electronic health record systems and providing ongoing education to help clinicians improve the quality of patient care and promote patient safety.

Upstate’s Mitchell Brodey, MD, FACP, chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and Infectious Disease Physician, said the designation from the ISDA celebrates the strong program Upstate has in place for patient safety.

“The goal of antimicrobial stewardship is to optimize clinical outcomes, minimize side effects and reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant organisms,” he said. “Recognition as a Center of Excellence by the IDSA demonstrates the commitment and support Upstate devotes to this critically important mission.”

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee is comprised of a dedicated and collaborative interdisciplinary team consisting of infectious disease physicians, infectious disease pharmacists, microbiologists, and infection control personnel:

Mitchell Brodey, MD, FACP

Stephen Thomas, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FASTMH

Kristopher Paolino, MD, MTM&H, FACP

Leonard Weiner, MD

Wesley Kufel, PharmD, BCIDP, BCPS, AAHIVP

Jeffrey Steele, PharmD, BCPS-AQ ID

Deena Barbagallo, PharmD

Scott Riddell, PhD, MT, D(ABMM)

Paul Suits, MT, CIC