Stewardship 2.0: Integrating Diagnostic and Antimicrobial Stewardship for Improved Care

March 25th, 2025

As pediatric infectious diseases specialists and leaders in antimicrobial stewardship, Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Schwenk will explore the critical intersection of diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship. They will discuss how stewardship practices have evolved to include the appropriate utilization and interpretation of diagnostic tests, using the 1,3-beta-D-glucan (Fungitell®) assay as a case study. Known for its poor specificity and limited utility in diagnosing invasive fungal infections, this biomarker exemplifies the challenges of low-value testing. Drs. O’Brien and Schwenk will share successful de-implementation strategies and highlight future opportunities for advancing antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship in pediatric care.

Hayden Schwenk, MD, MPH

Hayden Schwenk, MD, MPH, is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He is the Co-clinical Chief of the division and chairs the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. As Medical Director of the hospital’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, he is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies that improve antimicrobial utilization across the continuum of pediatric care. Dr. Schwenk has a particular interest in the stewardship of antimicrobials, including antifungals, in immunocompromised and critically ill children. Dr. Schwenk received his master’s degree in public health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Lauren O’Brien, MD

Lauren O’Brien, MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Stanford University School of Medicine. As Associate Medical Director of the hospital’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, she focuses on optimizing antimicrobial utilization with a particular emphasis on outpatient stewardship. She also has a strong interest in diagnostic stewardship and the management of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts. Dr. O’Brien earned her medical degree from the University of California at Irvine and completed both her residency and fellowship training at Stanford.