healthcare-associated infections (HAI) Program

ARCHIVED - ​​California Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Initiative

The California Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Initiative of the CDPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program provides guidance and support for California healthcare facilities to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). ASPs promote and measure appropriate antimicrobial use by optimizing selection, dosing, route and duration of therapy. ASPs improve patient outcomes while minimizing adverse events associated with antimicrobial use, including toxicity, Clostridium difficile infections and the emergence of antimicrobial resistant organisms.


California was the first state to enact antimicrobial stewardship legislation.

  • California Senate Bill 739 (PDF): Hospitals are required to develop a process for monitoring the judicious use of antibiotics, the results of which are monitored by quality improvement committee(s).
  • California Senate Bill 1311: Hospitals are further required adopt and implement an antimicrobial stewardship policy in accordance with guidelines established by federal government and professional organizations, and to establish a physician-supervised multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship committee with at least one physician or pharmacist who has undergone specific training related to stewardship.
  • California Senate Bill 361: Skilled nursing facilities are required to adopt and implement an antibiotic stewardship policy by January 1, 2017.

​HAI Program Resources for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Hospitals

  • CDPH Spotlight on ASPs Project
    The Spotlight on ASPs project offers California hospitals an opportunity to highlight and publically share their progress with ASP implementation on the HAI Program website. Spotlighted hospitals provide the contact information of their ASP leaders to facilitate mentoring and regional collaboration with other facilities.
    To enroll as a Spotlight facility, complete the enrollment survey online.
  • CDPH Hospital ASP Collaborative - 2015 (PDF)
    The 2015 California Hospital ASP Collaborative engaged 150 acute care hospitals beginning or enhancing their ASPs. The collaborative was structured as a learning and action network conducted via monthly webinar sessions. Collaborative session presentations are archived. 

​HAI Program Resources for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Skilled Nursing Facilities

  • Antibiotic Stewardship in Nursing Homes Webinar Series - 2016
    This six-part Antibiotic Stewardship in Nursing Homes webinar series was developed in collaboration with the California Association of Health Facilities to provide practical guidance for California skilled nursing facilities developing their antimicrobial stewardship policies.
  • Opportunities for Collaboration with Spotlight on ASPs Hospitals
    Skilled nursing facilities are encouraged to reach out to Spotlight hospitals within their referral network to identify antimicrobial stewardship expertise and opportunities for collaboration.

​Additional Tools for Hospitals

​Additional Tools for Skilled Nursing Facilities

​Education and Training Resources for Antimicrobial Stewardship

​Additional Antimicrobial Stewardship Campaigns and Resources


For additional information contact the HAI Program at HAIProgram@cdph.ca.gov

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