Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewards (CAAMS)
The Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewards (CAAMS) brings together veterinarians, researchers, and educators from around the world to lead and support efforts that ensure effective and sustainable antimicrobial use in veterinary settings. These stewards are committed to advancing antimicrobial stewardship through collaborative, outcomes-driven research. By connecting veterinary hospitals, CAAMS seeks to engage in research that supports ethical, effective, and sustainable antimicrobial use in companion animals.
A recent study from CAAMS, involving researchers from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, looks to understand antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) activities in veterinary schools. An online survey was completed by representatives from American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges-accredited veterinary schools in the U.S. and Caribbean prior to attending the Inaugural Small Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship Workshop for U.S. Veterinary Schools. Responses were examined to identify patterns among AS and IPC activities and adherence to the AVMA core principles.
The survey found:
- Half (12 of 24) of the surveyed schools had an AS committee and most (79%, 19 of 24) had an IPC committee.
- Lack of dedicated staff time was a common barrier to AS (88%, 21 of 24) and IPC (75%, 18 of 24) reported by schools both with and without AS and IPC committees.
- Eleven of 24 schools (46%) reported performing at least one activity focused on each of the AVMA's 5 core principles of AS.
- Most schools (79%, 19 of 24) incorporate AS concepts into preclinical curricula.
- However, AS training of clinical faculty (17%, 4 of 24), veterinary technicians and support staff (21%, 5 of 24), and house officers (42%, 10 of 24) was less common, despite these individuals serving a critical role in teaching clinical-year veterinary students.
A collaborative and cohesive approach to AS and IPC among schools to create sustainable frameworks for practice improvement will help combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. This is a critical action for settings where future veterinarians are trained.
Access the publication:
A survey of US and Caribbean veterinary schools reveals strengths and opportunities in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control activities
The Companion Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (CAVSNET) is the first surveillance system in the U.S. structured to gather sustainable data on companion animal (dogs, cats, horses) disease and veterinary practice. Based out of the University of Minnesota, CAVSNET, combines clinical practice data from multiple electronic health software platforms. Companion animal clinics can participate in CAVSNET through submission of de-identified health, disease, and treatment data. Data from participating companion animal clinics are collected monthly by an automated process and compiled in a central university database.
CAVSNET monitors infectious and chronic animal diseases by individual clinics and at the population level (e.g., locally, statewide, nationally). In addition, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases of human health importance, such as leptospirosis, influenza, and Lyme disease, can be monitored for public health awareness and targeted prevention messaging. CAVSNET is also a powerful tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Resistant organisms and antimicrobial use, both drivers of antimicrobial resistance, are tracked in CAVSNET. Tools for measuring antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine are rare. CAVSNET tracks prescriptions by species, clinical syndrome, and drug type, facilitating identification of intervention opportunities and progress tracking. CAVSNET data also provide valuable population measures of antimicrobial use, which can be used for goal-setting for prescribing improvement in the veterinary profession.
For more information, visit: CAVSNET Overview.
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