The Importance of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
In 2012, the VHA conducted a survey to obtain baseline data regarding ASP activities, presence of dedicated personnel, current related practice policies, available resources, and outcomes. There were 140 voluntary participating VA facilities, of which 130 had inpatient services. The survey found that 26 facilities (20%) did not have an attending ID physician, 49 facilities (38%) reported having an ASP, 19 facilities (15%) had developed policy in place addressing de-escalation of antimicrobials, 87 facilities (67%) had not developed a business plan for an ASP, and 61 facilities (47%) had completed a medication usage evaluation.14 Feedback following the analysis of the survey data recommended integrating more ID personnel as needed, along with the development of ASP teams for all facilities with inpatient services, who would have the authority to change the antimicrobial therapy selection and have policies in place related to ASP principles.
Conclusions
Increased MDROs and decreased anti-infective development requires stricter management of antibiotics. An ASP is essential in any hospital or health care facility to decrease the incidence of resistance and improve patient care. The ASP is a collaborative effort that involves multiple specialties and departments. A successful ASP is one that changes based on local prescribing trends and resistance patterns while focusing on a patient as an individual.
Author disclosures
The authors report no actual or potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Federal Practitioner, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., the U.S. Government, or any of its agencies. This article may discuss unlabeled or investigational use of certain drugs. Please review complete prescribing information for specific drugs or drug combinations—including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects—before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.
