As busy professionals, it can be difficult to keep track of all that the AVMA is doing in the many areas important to our practices. One such topic is antimicrobial stewardship. In this issue of JAVMA, we share 2 related research articles on antimicrobial stewardship from collaborators at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Complementing these articles, we have a Commentary authored by AVMA staff leaders to inform our readership of the many activities and resources created for members. The Commentary includes 2 resources from the AVMA on antimicrobial stewardship: (1) “Antimicrobial stewardship definition and core principles,” a policy to guide veterinarians in preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and (2) “Veterinary checklist for antimicrobial stewardship,” a veterinary checklist to help implement antimicrobial stewardship into a practice. These resources can also be found on the AVMA website at https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/antimicrobial-stewardship-definition-and-core-principles and https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Veterinary-Checklist-Antimicrobial-Stewardship.pdf. As an equine veterinarian and surgeon of over 30 years, I still find it difficult to change my mindset, still need to remember to think twice before reaching for antimicrobials “just to be safe.” I personally find the AVMA veterinary checklist raises my awareness, and I hope you find these combined resources helpful in your journey toward improved antimicrobial stewardship.
Respectfully,
Lisa A. Fortier DVM, PhD, DACVS
Editor-in-Chief, JAVMA and AJVR
Chief Publications Officer, AVMA
