Premium
Outcomes associated with a thrice‐weekly antimicrobial stewardship programme in a 253‐bed community hospital
Author(s) -
Vettese N.,
Hendershot J.,
Irvine M.,
Wimer S.,
Chamberlain D.,
Massoud N.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12079
Subject(s) - antimicrobial stewardship , antimicrobial , medicine , vancomycin , levofloxacin , defined daily dose , carbapenem , ciprofloxacin , antibiotics , intensive care medicine , antibiotic resistance , drug , pharmacology , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcus aureus , biology , genetics , bacteria
Summary What is known and objectives Antimicrobial stewardship programmes ( ASP s) have been shown to decrease antimicrobial resistance, reduce hospital‐acquired infections and decrease overall antimicrobial expenditures. At S t. J oseph M edical C enter in Bellingham, WA , a thrice‐weekly ASP was initiated in 2010 with the goals of decreasing carbapenem, fluoroquinolone and vancomycin use and tailoring duration of therapy. Methods Antibiotic use per 1000 patient‐days and carbapenem, fluoroquinolone and vancomycin use were evaluated pre‐ and post‐implementation of the ASP . Total antimicrobial expenditures were evaluated for the 3 years prior to ASP implementation and three years following implementation. Results and discussion Antimicrobial days of therapy per 1000 patient‐days declined by 6·4% after implementation of our ASP . There was a 37% reduction in total antimicrobial expenditures after implementation. Carbapenems, vancomycin and levofloxacin use decreased considerably. Ciprofloxacin use increased during the same time period. What is new and conclusion A thrice‐weekly, pharmacist‐driven ASP can decrease antimicrobial expenditure, shorten duration of therapy and decrease the utilization of carbapenems, vancomycin and levofloxacin.