Recent research published in the American Journal of Infection Control supports previously published studies that show antimicrobial stewardship programs can improve quality and reduce healthcare costs.
The antimicrobial stewardship program included a team of two infectious disease physicians and three intensive care unit pharmacists, who audited new starts and weekly use of eight antimicrobials. Researchers compared outcomes from one year before and after implementation of the program.
A review of 510 antimicrobial orders showed a majority (63 percent) were appropriate, while the others prompted de-escalation, denial or formal consultation with an infectious disease physician. The antimicrobial stewardship program also led to a 50 percent risk reduction for C. difficile infections; a 13.3 percent decrease in antimicrobial cost per patient-day; a 15.2 percent decrease in the hospital's antimicrobial budget and 25.4 percent decrease in daily doses of the eight antimicrobials.
The researchers, however, found the antimicrobial stewardship program did not improve 30-day mortality or readmission rates.
The antimicrobial stewardship program included a team of two infectious disease physicians and three intensive care unit pharmacists, who audited new starts and weekly use of eight antimicrobials. Researchers compared outcomes from one year before and after implementation of the program.
A review of 510 antimicrobial orders showed a majority (63 percent) were appropriate, while the others prompted de-escalation, denial or formal consultation with an infectious disease physician. The antimicrobial stewardship program also led to a 50 percent risk reduction for C. difficile infections; a 13.3 percent decrease in antimicrobial cost per patient-day; a 15.2 percent decrease in the hospital's antimicrobial budget and 25.4 percent decrease in daily doses of the eight antimicrobials.
The researchers, however, found the antimicrobial stewardship program did not improve 30-day mortality or readmission rates.
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