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Acute Care Honor Roll
The Illinois Department of Public Health Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll aims to recognize hospitals that prioritize and excel in implementing evidence-based practices of antimicrobial stewardship. While nearly 98% of Illinois hospitals have reported successful implementation of all seven of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs, less than 10% have reported implementing all six of the CDC Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation, highlighting a significant opportunity to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship efforts statewide. By focusing on these Priorities, the Honor Roll encourages adoption of targeted strategies to improve the quality and impact of existing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) and promotes best practices and collaboration across health care facilities to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Figure 1. Hospital Priority Element Reporting in Illinois in 2024
Recognition Framework
Part I (required): CDC Priorities for Hospital Core Element Implementation
- Bronze: Implementation of at least two Priorities
- Silver: Implementation of at least four Priorities
- Gold: Implementation of all six Priorities
Part II (Optional): Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaboration Distinction
- This distinction is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate a strong commitment to formal, documented, and sustained partnerships beyond their institution. Collaborations must meaningfully contribute to the broader stewardship community and reflect a shared goal of improving antimicrobial use across health care settings.
- Awarded independently of tier status and is open to all applicants.
Benefits
Awardees will receive a Certificate of Achievement and be recognized on the Illinois Department of Public Health Antimicrobial Stewardship webpage. Other benefits include opportunities to:
- Collaborate and network by sharing best practices, innovative strategies, and success stories with other Illinois leaders in antimicrobial stewardship.
- Encourage professional development by engaging health care professionals and staff in meaningful antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
- Demonstrate compliance and quality through your hospital's commitment to meeting regulatory guidelines and standards.
- Improve patient outcomes by contributing to better treatment outcomes, fewer adverse events, and reduced health care-associated infections through optimized antimicrobial use.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted twice per year via REDCap. A PDF version of the application is available for reference.
- 2025 Fall Application Window: July 1 – September 30
- 2026 Spring Application Window: April 1 – June 30
- 2026 Fall Application Window: October 1 – December 31
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Upgrade and Renewal
Upgrade:
- On the first day of each application window, DPH.Antimicrobial.Stewardship@illinois.gov will email all Bronze, Silver, and Gold awardees (excluding Gold facilities with Collaboration Distinction) a direct link to submit an Upgrade application. The application will be pre-populated with the facility name and allow applicants to update their point of contact, if needed.
- The Upgrade application will include only the Priorities and/or Collaboration Distinction criteria that were not met during the facility’s previous application.
- Facilities may submit supporting documentation for any remaining Honor Roll criteria they wish to pursue.
- A new attestation letter must be signed by the facility’s physician and pharmacist champions.
Renewal: Designation is valid for two years from the award date
Contact Information
For more information or assistance with the application process, contact the IDPH Antimicrobial Stewardship team at DPH.Antimicrobial.Stewardshp@illinois.gov.
