Which professionals are commonly involved in implementing diagnostic stewardship with an IP?

• A. IP, infectious disease physician, pharmacy, and laboratory staff
• B. Food service, housekeeping, and security
• C. Medical records, hospital administration, and legal
• D. Nursing staff only

Answer: (A)

Diagnostic stewardship relies on coordinating testing decisions across clinical judgment, lab processes, and treatment choices. The infection preventionist leads surveillance and policy efforts to prevent unnecessary testing and curb the spread of resistant organisms. An infectious disease physician brings clinical judgment on when tests are truly indicated and how results should guide patient management. Pharmacy contributes by aligning test use with antimicrobial stewardship, advising on rapid diagnostics and how results should influence antibiotic choices. Laboratory staff ensure the right tests are available, correctly ordered, and performed efficiently, with timely and accurate reporting and the implementation of useful protocols like reflex testing. Together, this collaboration makes diagnostic testing timely, appropriate, and actionable, which is the heart of effective stewardship. Other roles such as food service, housekeeping, or security don’t directly impact diagnostic testing decisions, and while nursing supports specimen collection and patient care, the primary diagnostic stewardship leadership typically centers on these four professionals.