SPICE expert support: unique opportunity for improving implementation of AMS efforts

As part of drive-AMS, the team at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, is expanding their SPICE Expert Registry to Greece, Lithuania, Romania and Portugal. SPICE stands for Specialized Programme for Infectious Disease Care Everywhere

SPICE offers a unique, valuable opportunity for drive-AMS hospitals within partner countries to take advantage of expert-led support in implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Through the SPICE Expert Registry, participating hospitals can access free-of-cost consultation from experts in infectious disease, microbiology, diagnostics, infection control, and behaviour change and implementation science—essential areas for advancing AMS practice and nurturing team-based AMS environments.

The SPICE Expert Registry already includes over 50 dedicated professionals from diverse medical fields, all prepared to provide technical advice and hands-on guidance, tailored to the specific needs in improving AMS in facilities requesting the support. The program, already piloted in several countries, is actively preparing for a full launch in 2025, with the first expert webinar scheduled for January 2025. Continuous expert training will occur at least every six months to ensure that guidance remains cutting-edge, evidence-based, and focused on best practices in AMS. Additionally, an overarching structure is being developed to match hospitals with experts of appropriate skill levels and backgrounds, guaranteeing optimal impact for AMS projects.

 

Funding & pro bono expertise

As part of drive-AMS, partner organizations are equipped with funding to cover essential costs for implementation support. This means that drive-AMS hospitals can request assistance without needing independent funds—the financial support from the partner countries covers the cost of on-site expert missions, while the experts themselves offer their time pro bono.

 

At this stage, the drive-AMS project covers SPICE Expert support only for hospitals in partner countries that are part of the drive-AMS program and whose staff have completed the Masterclass course provided by Radboudumc’s team. However, the SPICE program is open to all hospitals and healthcare facilities which consider they would benefit from additional implementation support of their efforts to ensure optimal infectious disease management to their patients.

If your hospital or facility meets these criteria, now is the time to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to accelerate your AMS project with SPICE. Visit the SPICE-Global website for more information and submit your request for support in a few easy steps, to make the most of your AMS and infectious disease management efforts.