American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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Infections caused by drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria are a growing threat to the healthcare community and clinicians are encouraged to employ a combination of strategies for effective prevention and treatment of these difficult infections. ⋯ With a limited number of antimicrobial agents in development, clinicians cannot rely on new drugs alone to treat infections due to drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria but must also incorporate strategies that reduce the emergence of resistance and prevent the spread of problematic bacteria. Potentially effective interventions include antimicrobial stewardship tactics that advocate optimal use of currently available antimicrobial agents and rigorous infection control measures. Infectious diseases trained pharmacists are in a unique position to play a key role in helping control the spread of nosocomial pathogens.