Opportunities for Laboratory Testing to Inform Antimicrobial Use for Bovine Respiratory Disease: Application of Information Quality Value Stream Maps in Commercial Feedlots

Background/Objectives: The implementation of information quality value stream maps (IQ-VSMs) in food animal production systems can increase our understanding of the opportunities and challenges when using laboratory testing for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Our objectives were to (1) explore the implementation of information quality value stream mapping as a continuous improvement tool to inform decisions for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) management and AMS and (2) apply the information quality dimensions to identified Kaizen opportunities for the integration of laboratory data into BRD management systems to assess the appropriateness of BRD treatment plans in western Canadian feedlot production. Methods: A ‘Current State’ IQ-VSM outlined the processes, available information, information processing steps, and control decisions contributing to BRD management and treatment in commercial western Canadian feedlots, recognizing that laboratory BRD pathogens and AMR data are typically not part of BRD management. Results: The ‘Future State’ IQ-VSM incorporated Kaizen opportunities for improvement, including (i) the strategic collection of respiratory samples from representative samples of calves for laboratory analysis, regardless of clinical BRD status, (ii) compilation of laboratory data at the pen and feedlot levels, and (iii) analysis of pen- and feedlot-level laboratory data to inform the veterinarian’s assessment of the appropriateness of current BRD treatment plans. Conclusions: The IQ-VSMs provided a valuable framework to visualize the integration of BRD pathogen and AMR laboratory data to support AMS and address any potential future testing requirements.