Valley City ND (CHI) – CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City is proud to announce that its dedicated Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) team has been awarded a second Platinum Honor Roll Award for their achievements in optimizing antibiotic use and enhancing patient safety. This remarkable recognition solidifies CHI Mercy Hospital as one of only three facilities in the entire state to reach this elite Platinum status.

This “double platinum” accomplishment underscores the AMS team’s unwavering commitment to responsible antibiotic prescribing. Their innovative and data-driven approach has not only met- but exceeded the highest standards for antimicrobial stewardship.

“We are incredibly proud of our Antimicrobial Stewardship team for achieving this outstanding Double Platinum Honor Roll Award,” said Amy Noeske, CHI Pharmacist. “Our work is crucial to safeguarding our patients and community from antibiotic resistance, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this critical effort.”

This year, the AMS team implemented several impactful initiatives that contributed to their extraordinary success:

  • Improved Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Diagnoses: The team made improvements to how UTIs are diagnosed in the facility. Now, when a provider orders a urine test (UA), they need to provide a clear reason, and UAs are only cultured if certain objective criteria are met. This helps cut down on unnecessarily treating patients for UTIs, as demonstrated by data collected by our laboratory department.
  • Standing Order Updates: We’ve updated our standing orders for treating Clostridioides difficile (often called “C. Diff”). These new guidelines reflect the most current and effective approaches for managing this challenging infection.
  • Continued Education: The team ensured our staff received regular education on key antimicrobial topics relevant to our community’s health.
  • Community-Wide Partnership: Demonstrating a commitment beyond the hospital walls, CHI Mercy has forged partnerships with a local clinic and long-term care facilities. These collaborations facilitate the vital sharing of antibiogram data, fostering a unified front against antibiotic resistance across the community.

The Double Platinum Honor Roll Award is a testament to the dedication of this team and the impact they’ve had on patient care. CHI Mercy Hospital’s continuous pursuit of excellence in antimicrobial stewardship exemplifies its commitment to providing the highest quality and safest medical services. The hospital extends its deepest gratitude to the AMS team for their relentless efforts and profound contributions to improving patient outcomes and public health.