One of 8 NC Hospitals Recognized Through STAR Partners Initiative

Carteret Health Care was recently awarded an Advanced standing for antimicrobial stewardship as part of the STewardship of Antimicrobial Resources (STAR) Partners Initiative through the NC Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated Infections and Resistant Pathogens Patient Safety (SHARPPS) Program. Carteret Health Care is only one of eight North Carolina hospital’s to be recognized as an Advanced Star Partner. In order to address the critical need for optimizing antimicrobial use to improve patient care and limit antimicrobial resistance, the STAR initiative partners with health facilities statewide to both promote and implement stewardship interventions. Participation in the partnership requires meeting of the requirements for different levels of antimicrobial stewardship implementation. Carteret’s Advanced standing reflects an established and active stewardship program.

“Very few organizations in our state have achieved this designation” stated Dr. Michael Soucie, Pharmacy Director. “Though I am very proud of the efforts to improve the safe and effective use of antimicrobials by our team here at Carteret Health; ultimately it is our community members and patients who truly benefit.”