Texas Health and Safety Code § 81.015 requires the establishment of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Regional Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in each of Texas’ eight public health regions to address AS in long-term care facilities and to improve AS through collaborative action. The ASRACs are governed by House Bill 1848 (86^th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019). Each committee must consist of:

1. Physicians
2. Directors of Nursing or equivalent consultants with long-term care facilities
3. Public health officials knowledgeable about AS
4. Other interested parties

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS) Program’s mission is to provide direction for the development of a collaborative statewide program that empowers healthcare providers and the public with evidence-based information, education, and tools necessary to use antimicrobials judiciously and limit the emergence and spread of resistance in Texas. 

DSHS defines “antimicrobial stewardship” as a coordinated approach to promoting and monitoring the appropriate use of antimicrobials to preserve their future effectiveness. AS serves to improve patient outcomes, slow the increase in antimicrobial resistance, and decrease adverse drug reactions, antibiotic-associated disease, and healthcare costs.

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• Texas Government Code:
  • Sec 2110: GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 2110. STATE AGENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEES
  • Sec 121.007: HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE CHAPTER 121. LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH REORGANIZATION ACT
• Health and Safety Code:
  • Sec. 81.015: HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE CHAPTER 81. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES; PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTERS; PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES