Elgin Hospitals Earn Gold Antimicrobial Stewardship Status

St. Joseph and Advocate Sherman Hospital were recognized for meeting top federal standards for antibiotic management.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Asthma

Elgin Hospitals Earn Gold Antimicrobial Stewardship Status

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St. Joseph Hospital and Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin were awarded Gold Level Honor Roll status by the Illinois Department of Public Health as of September 30, 2026. This promotion recognizes the facilities for successfully meeting six priority elements for antimicrobial stewardship.

Why it matters

Effective antimicrobial stewardship programs ensure that antibiotics are used only when necessary to treat infections. By implementing these practices, hospitals improve patient outcomes and significantly reduce the occurrence of hospital-associated infections.

Hospitals earn the Gold status by meeting six priority elements defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both facilities were previously recognized at the Silver level during the fall 2025 cycle.

The players

Illinois Department of Public Health

This state agency oversees the Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll and establishes standards for healthcare facilities in Illinois.

St. Joseph Hospital

Located in Elgin, this medical center is a recipient of the Gold Level Honor Roll status for its antibiotic management programs.

Advocate Sherman Hospital

This Elgin-based hospital earned Gold status for its commitment to standardized antimicrobial stewardship practices.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The federal agency defines the priority elements that hospitals must meet to achieve honor roll recognition for antimicrobial stewardship.

The details

The honor roll program requires institutions to maintain stewardship through leadership commitment, program accountability, specialized training, and clinical action. Hospitals must also perform data tracking and annual reporting to demonstrate their adherence to these rigorous health standards.

Fall 2025: St. Joseph and Advocate Sherman held Silver Award status.
September 30, 2026: St. Joseph Hospital was notified of its Gold status upgrade.
November 18-24, 2026: U.S. annual observance of Antibiotic Awareness Week.

Health Landscape

The Gold status recognition aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. This award marks a transition for these hospitals as they advance from the Silver level by fully implementing all six priority elements.

Patients at these Elgin hospitals can expect a higher standard of antibiotic management that prioritizes effective treatment and safety. This designation confirms that the facilities have robust systems in place to minimize the risks associated with improper medication use.

The takeaway

Patients benefit when healthcare facilities prioritize the rigorous management of antibiotic prescriptions. Individuals can support these efforts by only using antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor for a bacterial infection.