Antibiotic Stewardship in Urology.

INTRODUCTION

An increase in antibiotic resistance and a decrease in the production of new antimicrobials have created a difficult problem for our health care system.

METHODS

We review issues associated with antibiotic stewardship, which refers to organized processes aimed at measuring and optimizing the use of antimicrobials to decrease toxicity and resistance and improve outcomes.

RESULTS

Urologists are in a unique position to implement these programs given that the genitourinary tract is a common source of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

In this article we discuss particularly relevant infectious problems in urology and highlight the need for antibiotic stewardship in our field.