Mini course · Intermediate level
Antimicrobial Stewardship Essentials
Help protect antibiotics for the future by using them right today.
What is Antimicrobial Stewardship Essentials?
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious global health threats, driven largely by unnecessary and inappropriate antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes promote the right drug, dose, route and duration for every patient. This course explains how resistance develops, the core elements of a stewardship programme, key interventions such as prospective audit and feedback, antibiotic time-outs and IV-to-oral switch, the WHO AWaRe antibiotic categories, and how to measure antimicrobial use.
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Lessons
- 5
- Level
- Intermediate
- Format
- Online, self-paced
What you'll be able to do
- Explain how antimicrobial use drives resistance
- Describe the core elements of a stewardship programme
- Apply an antibiotic time-out to a described case
- Identify opportunities for IV-to-oral switch and de-escalation
- Explain the WHO AWaRe antibiotic categories
- Select appropriate metrics to monitor antimicrobial use
Who this course is for
Course content
5 lessons · 1.5 hours total · free preview available
1The Resistance Problem
16 minFree preview· Course content
The Resistance Problem
How resistance develops and why it matters globally.
2Building a Stewardship Programme
18 min· Course content
Building a Stewardship Programme
Available after you enroll.
3Stewardship Interventions
20 min· Course content
Stewardship Interventions
Available after you enroll.
4Antibiotic Categories and Guidelines
18 min· Course content
Antibiotic Categories and Guidelines
Available after you enroll.
5Measuring Impact
18 min· Course content
Measuring Impact
Available after you enroll.
Earn a credential employers can check
Every AIHCM credential has a unique ID that anyone can verify online in seconds.
Issued: on completion
How it works
- Finish all 5 lessons at your own pace.
- Get your digital credential with a unique ID.
- Share it — employers can verify it at aihcm.us.
Questions people ask
Does the course tell me which antibiotic to prescribe?
No. It does not replace clinical treatment guidelines. Always follow your local antimicrobial guidance.
Do nurses have a role in stewardship?
Yes. Nurses contribute through accurate cultures, timely reviews, IV-to-oral switch prompts and patient education.
Is this relevant for small hospitals?
Yes. The course shows how core elements can be scaled to smaller facilities.
Is the content aligned with WHO?
Yes. It draws on WHO stewardship principles and the AWaRe classification.