Horizon Health has been recognized by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for its efforts in promoting responsible antibiotic use. The organization received Silver Status on the IDPH Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll, an award introduced in 2025 to acknowledge hospitals that excel in evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship.
Rachel Kelley, Vice President of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at Horizon Health, said, “At Horizon Health, responsible antibiotic use is essential to protecting the health and safety of our patients and community. By making thoughtful decisions about when and how these medications are used, we help ensure treatments remain effective for today’s patients and for future generations. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to safe, high-quality care and to doing what’s right for the people we serve.”
Among 49 Silver Status recipients across Illinois, Horizon Health was one of only eight critical access hospitals honored. The award recognizes leadership, accountability, action, and tracking in antimicrobial stewardship.
Beth Keys, Pharmacy Manager at Horizon Health and co-chair of the hospital’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, stated: “This award highlights our efforts to combat antibiotic resistance and ensure antibiotics are used safely, especially as we enter a time when resistant infections are becoming harder to treat. In some cases, we simply don’t have the drugs we need because of that resistance.” She emphasized that overuse or unnecessary prescription of antibiotics can lead bacteria and other germs to develop resistance.
To further improve stewardship practices, Horizon Health plans to introduce BioFire technology in its laboratory. Dr. Darren Brucken, Chief Medical Officer at Horizon Health and co-chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee explained: “We’re looking at results within an hour compared to three days. This system tests for a broad range of potential causes for a specific illness, such as pneumonia, gastrointestinal, or bloodstream infections. This will pinpoint the type of antibiotic that is needed.”
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee intends to apply for Gold Status from IDPH later this year while continuing efforts to optimize antibiotic use and reduce resistance. Initiatives include monitoring sepsis-related prescribing practices and pursuing additional certification in antimicrobial stewardship for committee leaders Beth Keys and Dr. Brucken.
