Antimicrobial therapy is essential to modern healthcare practice. However, years of injudicious use has contributed to the development of population and individual level harm from antimicrobial resistance. The frail elderly are particularly at risk from infection as well as antimicrobial adverse effects due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy and declining physiological reserve. Diagnosis and management decision making may be challenging in this vulnerable group due to subtle or absent symptoms and signs. Antimicrobial stewardship is the systematic approach to safe and effective use of antimicrobials to optimise outcomes, minimise harm and preserve future therapies. Herein, we consider the significance and importance of antimicrobial stewardship in the frail elderly and suggest ten steps to assist clinicians in the recognition, investigation and management of infection in this group.
Keywords: antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; elderly; frailty; infection.