ID Care Affiliate Hospital Named Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence

The Infectious Disease Society of America has recognized Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean University Medical Center for its use of ID Care’s epidemiology and antibiotics stewardship program

Hillsborough, July 29, 2024 – Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean University Medical Center, a partner of ID Care, has been honored with the prestigious Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence designation by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). This honor shows not only the dedication of the medical center’s staff, but the exceptional leadership, engagement and commitment of Dr. Sukrut Dwivedi, medical director of their Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and physician at ID Care.

“I want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of everyone involved in making this program a success,” says Dr. Dwivedi. “Thank you to our ID Care physicians and advanced practice providers and Ocean University Medical Center providers and staff, including infectious disease pharmacist Yosef Nissim, for their continuous commitment to excellence in antibiotic stewardship while serving on this team.”

Dr. Dwivedi also notes that without the crucial support the team has received from the hospital administration and staff the program would not be what it is today.

The IDSA’s Center of Excellence program acknowledges institutions that have established top-tier stewardship programs led by infectious diseases physicians and infection disease-trained pharmacists, meeting rigorous standards aligned with evidence-based national guidelines. The medical center’s application of one of ID Care’s leading-edge epidemiology and antibiotics stewardship programs provided them the opportunity to be considered for this distinction and continues to ensure their providers use antibiotics and other antimicrobials appropriately.

ID Care’s programs focus on delivering the highest quality infectious diseases services to patients, communities and partner healthcare facilities statewide, reflecting the IDSA’s commitment to enhancing patient care quality and safety. They implement proven strategies to minimize or eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across various clinical settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory surgery centers and rehabilitation facilities.

By identifying issues, collecting and analyzing data, and implementing policy and procedural changes, ID Care’s comprehensive antibiotic stewardship program has significantly enhanced the safety and efficacy of clinical organizations and facilities like Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean University Medical Center.

Many other partner organizations have adopted ID Care’s innovative programs, earning multiple accolades for providing patients with the least amount of antibiotics and the highest treatment effectiveness and safety. Collaborating with renowned healthcare organizations throughout New Jersey, ID Care ensures that every patient and community served receives the highest level of infectious disease care.

Through this designation and ongoing efforts, Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean University Medical Center and ID Care are recognized not only as being among the top performers in antibiotic stewardship in the state but are also as being poised to transform healthcare institutions nationwide, setting new benchmarks for excellence in antimicrobial stewardship.