1128. Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions about Antibiotic Stewardship (AS) Programs among Neonatology Trainees

Abstract

BackgroundAntibiotic stewardship (AS) is a fundamental aspect of medical training. Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) often have unique stewardship needs as they are ideal settings for the emergence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Assessing neonatology fellowship trainees’ knowledge and perceptions will highlight deficits in AS education and inform future curriculum development.MethodsProspective electronic survey study, distributed by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) program directors to neonatology fellows in the United States over 4 months (January to April 2018). The objective was to assess neonatology fellows’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about AS to inform sustainable NICU-specific AS programs.ResultsOf 99 programs and 700 fellows, 159 respondents (23%) from 40 neonatology training programs (40%) responded to the survey and 139 (87%) provided complete responses. Respondents were equally spread across all 3 years of trainingSeventy-two percent confirmed an institutional AS program existed, yet, only 33% were able to identify the components of AS programs and 66% either did not or were unsure if they had received AS training during fellowship. Furthermore, only 51% identified the appropriate empiric antibiotic for neonatal meningitis and 12% identified optimal methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) treatment while answering clinical case study questions. Notably, fellowship training year was not significantly related to the proportion of incorrect responses (P = 0.40).Small group sessions were identified as the best teaching format (35%). This was followed by audit and feedback of individual prescribing behavior and didactic lectures which had an equal proportion of respondents (22%). Seventy-eight percent of respondents preferred a trainee-led AS program targeting necrotizing enterocolitis, antifungal prophylaxis and appropriate surgical prophylaxis.ConclusionAntibiotic stewardship is a critical part of physician training. While most institutions have a stewardship program, a dedicated curriculum incorporating small group sessions and didactics may be beneficial for educating neonatology trainees.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures