How does antimicrobial cycling contribute to stewardship efforts?

Antimicrobial cycling is a strategy aimed at enhancing antimicrobial stewardship by systematically rotating the use of different preferred antimicrobials. This approach helps to minimize the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance, as it prevents organisms from continuously being exposed to the same antibiotic over extended periods. By introducing rotation, the selective pressure that leads to resistance is reduced, allowing for a broader spectrum of effective antimicrobials when treating infections.

This method is particularly useful in hospital settings where certain pathogens may become resistant due to frequent exposure to specific classes of antibiotics. By cycling through different agents, healthcare providers can help maintain the efficacy of existing antibiotics and ensure that they remain effective over time, aligning with the fundamental goals of antimicrobial stewardship to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials in order to combat the rise of resistant infections.