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Antimicrobial stewardship programs are coordinated programs within a health care setting that promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials, thereby improving patient outcomes, reducing antibiotic resistance, and decreasing the spread of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms.

AHRQ's work on antimicrobial stewardship programs is part of the broad national effort to maintain the effectiveness and safety of the Nation’s antibiotics. They are an important part of the White House’s National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB).

AHRQ has developed tools, research, and resources to improve the use of antibiotics through antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Diagnostic error is a significant and under-recognized threat to patient safety. AHRQ is funding research to better understand how these errors happen and what can be done to prevent them.

AHRQ is the lead Federal agency investing in research to improve diagnostic safety. According to the AHRQ-sponsored report, Improving Diagnosis in Health Care , published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2015, most patients will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime. These errors occur in all settings of care, contribute to about 10 percent of patient deaths, and are the primary reason for medical liability claims. Substantial effort is needed to identify research priorities, including how to measure and reduce diagnostic errors, and ensure this information is integrated into practice, where it will translate meaningful benefits for patients. Since 2007, AHRQ has invested in research to discover findings that advance the knowledge of diagnostic safety and to develop practical tools and resources to improve diagnostic safety.