Implementation Of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs Research Articles

Reduction strategies for inpatient oral third-generation cephalosporins at a cancer center: An interrupted time-series analysis.

Oral third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) are not recommended for use owing to their low bioavailability and the risk of emergence of resistant microorganisms with overuse. A standardized and effective method for reducing their use is lacking. Here, in a 60-month, single-institution, interrupted time-series analysis, which was retrospectively conducted between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2022, we evaluated the effectiveness of a four-phase intervention to reduce the use of 3GCs in patients at a cancer center: Phase 1 (pre-intervention), Phase 2 (review of clinical pathways), Phase 3 (establishment of infectious disease consultation service and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship program), and Phase 4 (educational lecture and pop-up displays for oral antimicrobials at the time of ordering). Although no significant changes were observed in Phases 3 and 4, the first intervention resulted in a significant decrease in the trend and level of days of therapy (DOT) for 3GCs. The level for cephalexin DOT and the trend for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim DOT increased in Phase 4, and the trend for amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate DOT increased in Phase 3. Macrolide DOT showed a decreasing trend in Phases 2 and 4 and decreasing and increased levels in Phases 3 and 4, respectively; no change was observed for quinolones. Actual and adjusted purchase costs of 3GCs decreased significantly during all study periods, while those for oral antimicrobials decreased in Phase 2, and actual purchase costs increased in Phases 3 and 4. No significant reduction in resistant organisms, length of hospital stay, or mortality was observed. This is the first study on the effects of oral 3GC reduction strategies in patients with cancer. We conclude that even facilities that substantially use antimicrobials can efficiently reduce the use of 3GCs.

Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in private healthcare settings in Africa: A scoping review.

An Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (ASP) is one of the strategic objectives of the World Health Organization's (WHO) global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance. There have been numerous publications on the implementation of ASPs in both private and public sectors globally. However, there are no reviews and interpretive scholarly research publications on successful implementation of ASPs in private healthcare settings in Africa. The aim of this study was to systematically gather relevant information from published findings and to interpret those findings into a coherent body of lessons learnt from successful ASP implemented in private healthcare settings in Africa. Google Scholar and PubMed, which are online databases, were extensively searched, and studies, which met the inclusion criteria for this review, were retrieved. A data-charting list was developed to extract relevant data. Only six South African studies reported on successful implementation of ASPs in private healthcare settings in Africa. The main focus areas include locally driven prescription audits as well as pharmacist-led interventions. Although private healthcare settings in Africa utilise antibiotic therapy for various infectious diseases, reports on implementation of ASPs in these settings are limited. To win the battle against antimicrobial resistance, private healthcare settings in Africa need to implement evidence-based guidelines and report on the rational use of antibiotics. The private healthcare sector in Africa needs to play a more meaningful role in the implementation of ASPs.

Core Elements for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean General Hospitals

Currently, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global public health. To overcome this crisis, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been proposed. An ASP supports the optimal use of antimicrobials, including appropriate dosing decisions, as well as the duration and routes of administration. In South Korea, efforts are underway to overcome AMR through a national policy supporting ASPs. This study developed the core elements of an ASP for domestic medical facilities. Two Delphi surveys were conducted to select the core elements through expert consensus. The core elements for ASP implementation included leadership commitment, an operating system, action, tracking, reporting, and education. To ensure that these core elements are present in medical facilities, multiple departments must collaborate to support ASP operations. The establishment of a reimbursement system and workforce for ASPs are prerequisites for ASP implementation. The active implementation of core ASP elements in medical facilities requires the provision of financial support for the ASPs, cultivation of a healthcare workforce to perform ASPs, application of the core elements to healthcare accreditation, and provision of incentives to medical facilities via quality evaluation criteria.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship program: results from a ten-year study in a multidisciplinary hospital

Objective. To evaluate the results of the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program in a multidisciplinary hospital. Materials and Methods. A retrospective intervention study was performed in the 600-bed multidisciplinary hospital of the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center (Moscow, Russia). The study included a number of sequential interventions, aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections, with an assessment of the following indicators dynamics: the structure of microorganisms isolated in the hospital, the level of resistance to antimicrobial drugs (AMD) among the pathogens of the ESKAPE group, the structure of prescribed AMD, as well as an assessment of clinical and economic consequences of antimicrobial resistance changes. For a comprehensive assessment of trend in antibiotic resistance and its connection with consumption of antibiotics, the drug resistance index (DRI) was used. DRI is based on the ratio of the level of resistance of the microorganism and the frequency of administration of AMD, potentially effective against this pathogen. The intervention started in 2013, so the data of 2012 (pre-intervention period) and 2022 were compared in this study. Results. The implementation of AMS program measures helped to reduce the relative frequency of ESKAPE group microorganisms in the structure of nosocomial infection pathogens in the hospital from 36.5% to 22% (p < 0.0001). The proportion of gram-negative (Gr-) isolates resistant to meropenem decreased from 32.4% to 10.9% (p < 0.0001). As a result of the introduction of AMS program, DDDh has been reduced almost three times: from 48.1 to 17.2 DDDh. The median duration of the AMT course in a specialized intensive care unit for the treatment of patients with nosocomial infections decreased from 12 to 8 days (p < 0.0001), the number of AMT days per 1 patient decreased from 7.7 to 4.2 (p < 0.0001). The proportion of ESKAPE pathogens in the structure of bloodstream infections in the hospital decreased from 53.1% to 26% (p < 0.0001), which led to decrease in mortality from 28.4% to 12.8%, (p = 0.012) and length of hospital stay from 31 to 22 days (p < 0.001) in this group of patients. Conclusions. The implementation of AMS program in a multidisciplinary hospital helps to reduce the frequency of inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs and reduces the consumption of antibiotics, decrease the level of antimicrobial resistance, and in such way improves the results of treatment of patients with nosocomial infections.

The impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes in paediatric emergency departments and primary care: a systematic review.

Antibiotics remain the most prescribed medicine in children worldwide, but half of the prescriptions are unnecessary or inappropriate, leading to an increase in antibiotic resistance. This study aims to systemically review the effects of different Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (ASPs) on reducing the rates of both antibiotic prescriptions and changes in antimicrobial resistance, and on the economic impact in paediatric emergency departments (PED) and primary care settings. Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched, combining Medical Subject Heading and free-text terms for 'children' and 'antimicrobial' and 'stewardship'. The search strategy involved restrictions on dates (from 1 January 2007 to 30 December 2020) but not on language. Randomized controlled trials, controlled and non-controlled before and after studies, controlled and non-controlled interrupted time series, and cohort studies were included for review. The review protocol was registered at the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: Registration Number CRD42021270630. Of the 47,158 articles that remained after removing duplicates, 59 were eligible for inclusion. Most of the studies were published after 2015 (37/59, 62.7%) and in high-income countries (51/59, 86.4%). Almost half of the studies described the implementation of an ASP in the primary care setting (28/59, 47.5%), while 15 manuscripts described the implementation of ASPs in EDs (15/59, 25.4%). More than half of the studies (43/59, 72.9%) described the implementation of multiple interventions, whereas few studies considered the implementation of a single intervention. Antibiotic prescriptions and compliance with guidelines were the most frequent outcomes (47/59, 79.7% and 20/59, 33.9%, respectively). Most of the articles reported an improvement in these outcomes after implementing an ASP. Meanwhile, only very few studies focused on health care costs (6/59, 10.2%) and antimicrobial resistance (3/59 5.1%). The implementation of ASPs has been proven to be feasible and valuable, even in challenging settings such as Emergency Departments and Primary care.

Facilitators and barriers to implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in public South African hospitals.

The South African National Department of Health released guidelines and recommendations for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs to be established in public healthcare facilities. Their implementation remains challenged, especially in North West Province, where the public health system functions under severe strain. This research explored and interpreted the facilitators that strengthen and barriers that hinder the implementation of the national AMS program in public hospitals in North West Province. A qualitative design and interpretive descriptive approach enabled insight into the realities of AMS program implementation. Public hospitals in North West Province, sampled through criterion sampling (n = 5). Purposive criterion sampling of healthcare practitioners (n = 30) actively participating in AMS programs in the 5 sampled public hospitals. Qualitative, interpretive description with semi-structured individual interviews that were digitally recorded and transcribed. The ATLAS.ti version 8 software facilitated content analysis, followed by second-level analysis. In total, 4 themes, 13 categories, and 25 subcategories emerged. We detected dissonance between government AMS ideals and the realities of AMS program implementation in public hospitals. A multilevel AMS leadership and governance vacuum exists in a dysfunctional health ecosystem in which AMS must operate. Healthcare practitioners agreed on the importance of AMS despite different understandings of AMS and ineffective multidisciplinary teams. Discipline-specific education and training are essential for all AMS participants. AMS is essential yet complex, and its contextualization and implementation are underestimated in public hospitals. Recommendations are focused on a supportive organizational culture, contextualized AMS program implementation plans, and changes in management.

Challenges and opportunities in the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program in Nepal

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a serious global public issue. Unnecessary and inappropriate use of antimicrobials has been identified as a major contributing factor for AMR. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) is valued as a key strategy to combat AMR. Although ASP is a key intervention to improve appropriate use of antibiotics, there is limited experience and research to describe its implementation in low-income countries such as Nepal. Grande International Hospital (GIH) is the first health organization in Nepal to implement and sustain a multidisciplinary ASP and infection control program. Challenges faced in implementing ASP include lack of acceptance from physicians, lack of knowledge regarding antibiotic prescribing, lack of staff for ASP activities, limitations in diagnostic testing to inform ASP, and limitations in antibiotic choice due to antibiotic unavailability. Our ASP includes the following components: an ASP committee, an antibiotic prescribing reference guide with dosage recommendations, inpatient formulary restriction system, educational outreach and programming for physicians and other stakeholders, and periodic review and revision of the program and reference guide. The ASP provided opportunities to address several knowledge gaps across our healthcare institution including improved knowledge and competency regarding rational use of antibiotics, access to quality medicines and better care to patients. It is our hope that, by describing the challenges and opportunities we experienced while implementing our ASP, we can support and encourage other institutions to adapt and implement ASPs in Nepal and other resource-limited settings.

Establishing an effective antimicrobial stewardship program at four secondary-care hospitals in India using a hub-and-spoke model.

The high burden of antimicrobial resistance in India necessitates the urgent implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in all healthcare settings in India. Most ASPs are based at tertiary-care centers, with sparse data available regarding the effectiveness of an ASP in a low-resource primary/secondary-care setting. We adopted a hub-and-spoke model to implement ASPs in 4 low-resource, secondary-care healthcare settings. The study included 3 phases measuring antimicrobial consumption data. In the baseline phase, we measured days on antimicrobial therapy (DOTs) with no feedback provided. This was followed by the implementation of a customized intervention package. In the postintervention phase, prospective review and feedback were offered by a trained physician or ASP pharmacist, and days of therapy (DOT) were measured. In the baseline phase, 1,459 patients from all 4 sites were enrolled; 1,233 patients were enrolled in the postintervention phase. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics. The key outcome, DOT per 1,000 patient days, was 1,952.63 in the baseline phase and significantly lower in the post-intervention period, at 1,483.06 (P = .001). Usage of quinolone, macrolide, cephalosporin, clindamycin, and nitroimidazole significantly decreased in the postintervention phase. Also, the rate of antibiotic de-escalation was significantly higher in the postintervention phase than the baseline phase (44% vs 12.5%; P < .0001), which suggests a definite trend toward judicious use of antibiotics. In the postintervention phase, 79.9% of antibiotic use was justified. Overall, the recommendations given by the ASP team were fully followed in 946 cases (77.7%), partially followed in 59 cases (4.8%), and not followed in 137 cases (35.7%). No adverse events were noted. Our hub-and-spoke model of ASP was successful in implementing ASPs in secondary-care hospitals in India, which are urgently needed.

'Prospective audit with intervention and feedback' as a core antimicrobial stewardship strategy in the paediatrics department of a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics for childhood illnesses, especially for non-bacterial infections, contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) in all healthcare institutions is a strategic intervention to improve the appropriate use of antibiotics, reduce antimicrobial consumption and tackle AMR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prospective audit with intervention and feedback as an antimicrobial stewardship strategy on antimicrobial use, evaluate prescribers' response to recommendations and determine the rate of AMR in the Paediatrics Department of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. This was an implementation study of the paediatrics Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (ASP) over a period of 6 months. It was initiated with a point prevalence survey (PPS) to describe the antimicrobial prescribing patterns and followed by prospective audit with interventions and feedback using an antimicrobial checklist and the existing antimicrobial guidelines in the Paediatrics Department. The antibiotic prescribing prevalence was high (79.9%) at baseline PPS with 139 patients on admission, of which 111 (79.9%) were treated with 202 antibiotic therapies. Over the 6 months of study, 582 patients on 1146 antimicrobial therapies were audited. Compliance with departmental guidelines was 58.1% of the total 1146 prescriptions audited (n = 666), making the antimicrobial prescription inappropriate in 41.9% (n = 480) of therapies. The most recommended intervention for inappropriateness was 'change antibiotics' 48.8% (n = 234), followed by 'stop antibiotics' 26% (n = 125), 'reduce the number of antibiotics' 19.6% (n = 194) and 'de-escalate' 2.4% (n = 11). Agreement with ASP interventions occurred in 193 (40.2%) cases, and the least agreed intervention was 'stop antibiotics' (n = 40, 32%). However, there was a steady increase in compliance rates with ASP interventions over the 6 months of period study, which was statically significant (χ2: 30.005; P = 0.001). ASP prospective audit with intervention and feedback was of significant benefit in improving compliance with antimicrobial guidelines, thereby improving antimicrobial therapy in the Paediatrics Department of LUTH, Nigeria.

Microbiological and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Level Hospital in Nepal

Background: Sepsis has been one of the most important conditions for morbidity and mortality of Intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Antibiotics remain one of the major combating factors for it. Indiscriminate antimicrobial usage and poor prescription practices have contributed to the development of multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the spectrum, and susceptibility patterns of pathogens isolated from patients admitted to our Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Cardiothoracic and Vascular ICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital from February 2019 to March 2021. Samples (blood, urine, wound swab, tracheal aspirate, and central venous catheter tip) for culture were taken from all the patients in Sepsis admitted in Cardiothoracic and Vascular ICU above 18 years of age during the study period. The culture reports (microbiological profile and their susceptibility pattern) were collected and data collection of all enrolled patients was done. Results: Out of the total 128 samples studied 75 (58.5%) were culture positive. The predominant organisms isolated were Gram negative organisms (Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, followed by E. coli). The highest prevalence of microbial growth was found in tracheal aspirate (46.8%), followed by blood (21.8%). Antibiotic susceptibility results showed the highest sensitivity of those common pathogens towards higher antibiotics only (especially Polymyxin B and Colistin). Conclusion: The emergence of multidrug resistant organisms and lesser availability of a higher group of antibiotics is a major concern. So there is a need for regular hospital based antibiograms, strict infection control programs, and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes for guiding clinicians in choosing appropriate therapy and preventing the surge of multidrug resistant organisms.

Developing Core Elements and Checklist Items for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean General Hospitals: A Modified Delphi Survey.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) aim to optimize antimicrobial use by minimizing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The core elements for implementing ASPs in healthcare facilities have been developed by the World Health Organization, international research group and government agencies of various countries. However, to date, there is no documented core elements for implementation of ASP in Korea. This survey aimed to establish a national consensus on a set of core elements and their related checklist items for the implementation of ASPs in Korean general hospitals. The survey was conducted from July 2022 to August 2022 by the Korean Society for Antimicrobial Therapy with support from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. A literature review was conducted by searching Medline and relevant websites to retrieve a list of core elements and checklist items. These core elements and checklist items were evaluated by a multidisciplinary panel of experts using a structured modified Delphi consensus procedure, using two-step survey included online in-depth questionnaires and in-person meeting. The literature review identified 6 core elements (Leadership commitment, Operating system, Action, Tracking, Reporting, and Education) and 37 related checklist items. Fifteen experts participated in the consensus procedures. Ultimately, all 6 core elements were retained, and 28 checklist items were proposed, all with ≥80% agreement; in addition 9 items were merged into 2 items, 2 items were deleted, and 15 items were rephrased. This Delphi survey provides useful indicators for the implementation of ASP in Korea and suggests national policy improvement about the barriers (e.g., shortage of staffing and financial support) existing in Korea for optimal implementation of ASPs.

Antimicrobial Prescribing before and after the Implementation of a Carbapenem-Focused Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in a Greek Tertiary Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Irrational use of antimicrobials poses a significant risk for public health by aggravating antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this repeated point prevalence survey (PPS) was to evaluate the impact of a carbapenem-focused antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) on overall antimicrobial use and quality of antimicrobial prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic. All adult inpatients in the University Hospital of Heraklion in Greece were audited twice, before and after the implementation of the ASP, in October 2019 and October 2020, respectively. Patient characteristics, indications and diagnoses for antimicrobial administration, antimicrobials prescribed, and compliance with treatment guidelines were recorded. Of 743 adult inpatients on the days of the two surveys, 398 (53.6%) were on antimicrobials for 437 diagnoses. Following implementation of the ASP, there was substantial decrease in the utilization of carbapenems (4.9% of all antibacterials prescribed in the second PPS compared to 10.3% in the first PPS). A significant improvement was observed for all indicators of the quality of antimicrobial prescribing. Our study demonstrated a positive impact of an ASP implementation during the first stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on reducing the use of last-line antimicrobials and improving overall quality of antimicrobial prescribing.

940. First situational diagnosis of the implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Mexican Hospitals, 2021

Abstract Background The development of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) can help to improve the quality of care and contain the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Mexico, there is little evidence on the design, implementation and evaluation of hospital ASP. The objective of this study is to present a situational diagnosis of the ASP structure, processes implemented and monitoring of results obtained in a sample of Mexican hospitals. Methods An online survey directed to ASP teams was applied to a purposive sample of 40 hospitals that perform regular antimicrobial stewardship activities in Mexico, during the last trimester of 2021. The survey was based on the ‘core elements’ instruments developed by the CDC and WHO. Results Forty hospitals (62% public and 38% private) were surveyed in 13 states in Mexico regarding ASP basic elements. Infrastructure and Organization elements: on average 52% of these hospitals carry basic actions that refer to: written ASP document and annual plan (46%); allocated human resources (68%); availability of material resources (59%) and use of technological platforms (37%). Processes: development of hospital treatment guidelines (49%); educational interventions (40%); persuasive and feedback interventions (42%); and in greater proportion, restrictive interventions (77%). Monitoring activities: interventions (25%); antimicrobial consumption (73%) and AMR (85%) Conclusion This first diagnosis serves as a baseline to determine the current state of ASP implementation per hospital and in the country. It also reflects on the ASP heterogeneity, that should be addressed by national policies. The greatest challenge lies in the program governance, and the systematic monitoring of the implementation of ASP interventions. Disclosures Anahí Dreser, PhD, MSD: Grant/Research Support.

904. Impact of a Pharmacist-driven Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Prescribing Practices by Intensive Care Physicians in a Latin American Hospital.

Abstract Background In a recent report from Latin American hospitals, only 59.7% of the prescriptions of patients admitted to the ICU followed treatment guidelines. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMS) have proven to be an effective tool for the rational use of antimicrobials, but their implementation has been a challenge in this region due to resources limitations. One significant barrier is the lack of clinical pharmacists with specialized training in infectious diseases. This study aims to determine the impact of a pharmacy driven AMS on the optimal prophylactic and empirical therapy prescription by intensive care physicians (ICP) in a Latin American hospital. Methods A retrospective observational study that compared the optimal selection and the consumption (DOTs/1000 ICP patient days) of antibiotics in patients treated by intensive care physicians before and after the implementation of the AMS at Clínica Biblica Hospital, Costa Rica. The comparison was made from January to December 2014 (preAMS) and from January 2020 to March 2021 (postAMS). Bacterial resistance patterns before and after AMS implementation were also compared. Results A total of 333 patients met the inclusion criteria (52% preAMS and 48% postAMS). After a five-year intervention, the optimal antibiotic selection prescribed by ICP was 43.1% (n=75) in the preAMS period and 86.8% (n=138) in the postAMS period (43.7% absolute improvement, p &amp;lt; 0.001). The prescription of most antibiotics showed an improvement (Fig 1), such as ertapenem in 45% (p&amp;lt; 0.001) and levofloxacin in 59% (p&amp;lt; 0.001). Similarly, there was a trend towards improvement of the prescription by diagnosis (Fig 2), including an increase of 32% (p&amp;lt; 0.001) in CAP. There was a reduction of the consumption of most antimicrobials (Fig 3) including a decrease of 66.9% (p =0.017) for vancomycin and 64.7% (p =0.033) for meropenem. Regarding bacterial resistance, there was found a decrease of 11% (p=0.048) of P. aeruginosa resistant to meropenem and a reduction in the detection of ESBL in E. coli (11% decrease; p=0.007). Conclusion The AMS implementation showed an overall positive impact on antibiotics selection and consumption. In addition, is thought that the intervention could had a positive effect on antibiotic resistance. Disclosures José Pablo Díaz-Madriz, PharmD, MSc, Eli Lilly: Stocks/Bonds|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant.

946. Establishing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme at Four Secondary Care Hospitals in India through Hub and Spoke Model with Christian Medical College, Vellore as Guiding Centre

Abstract Background The high burden of antimicrobial resistance in India necessitates an urgent implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship programs (ASP). Most ASP are based at tertiary care centres, with sparse data available regarding the effectiveness of an ASP in a low resource primary/secondary care setting. Methods We adopted a hub and spoke model to implement ASP in these low resource settings. The study consisted of three phases. Initial phase captured baseline antimicrobial days of therapy DOTs data with no feedback, followed by intervention phase wherein a few chosen interventions were implemented. Physicians of four chosen hospitals were trained via a blended customized distance education training programme, assisted with development of antibiogram based on their local hospital microbial resistance patterns via WHONET, followed by development of hospital specific antibiotic policy and augmentation of the existing laboratory skills by training personnel at the central facility. This was followed by a post intervention phase with a prospective review and feedback by trained personnel with assessment of DOTs. Results During the baseline phase, 1459 patients from all four sites were enrolled; 1233 patients were enrolled in the intervention phase. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics. The key outcome, DOT per 1,000 patient days, was 1952.63 in the baseline phase. The DOT/1000 patient days was significantly lower in the post intervention period, at 1483.06 (P =0.001). Quinolones, Macrolides, Cephalosporins, Clindamycin, and Nitroimidazole use significantly decreased in the post intervention phase. Rate of de-escalation was significantly higher in the intervention phase compared to the baseline phase (44% vs 12.5%; P &amp;lt; .0001), suggesting a definite trend with regard to the judicious use of antibiotics. Post intervention phase revealed that 79.9% of antibiotic use was justified. Overall, the recommendations given by the ASP team were fully followed in 946 cases (77.7%), partially followed in 59 cases (4.8%), and not followed in 137 cases (35.7%). No adverse events were noted. Conclusion Our Hub and Spoke model of ASP was successful in implementing ASP in secondary care hospitals in India which is the need of the hour. Disclosures Priscilla Rupali, MD, DTM&amp;H, PFIZER: Grant/Research Support|PFIZER: Grant/Research Support.

Gaps in the implementation of national core elements for sustainable antimicrobial use in the WHO-African region

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a leading global health and economic threat of the 21st century, with Africa bearing the greatest burden of mortality from drug-resistant infections. Optimization of the use of antimicrobials is a core strategic element of the response to AMR, addressing misuse and overuse as primary drivers. Effectively, this requires the whole society comprising not only healthcare professionals but also the public, as well as the government, to engage in a bottom-up and a top-down approach. We determined the progress of African national governments in optimizing antimicrobial drug use.MethodsFrom September 2021 to June 2022, all 47 member states of the World Health Organization African region (WHO AFRO) were invited to participate in a survey determining the implementation of strategies to optimize antimicrobial use (AMU). We used the WHO antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) assessment tool, National core elements—A checklist to guide the country in identifying existing national core elements for the implementation of AMS Programs, to obtain information from national AMR focal persons. The tool consists of four sections—national plans and strategies; regulations and guidelines; awareness, training, and education; and supporting technologies and data—with a total of 33 checklist items, each graded from 0 to 4. The responses were aggregated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2020®.ResultsThirty-one (66%) of the 47 countries returned completed forms. Only eight (25.8%) countries have developed a national AMS implementation policy incorporating defined goals, targets, and operational plans. There are no budget lines for AMS activities in 23 (74.2%) countries. The WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification of optimizing AMU has been integrated into the national essential medicines list or formulary in 19 (61.3%) countries, while the incorporation of the AMS principles and WHO AWaRe classification into national clinical guidelines for the management of infections is present in only 12 (38.7%) and 11 (34.5%) countries, respectively. Although regulations on the prescription-only sale/dispensing of antibiotics are present in 68% of countries, their enforcement is poor. Systems identifying pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility for optimal use of antibiotics are lacking in 38% of countries.ConclusionIn Africa, wide gaps exist in the governments’ implementation of the core elements of optimizing antimicrobial drug use. Responding to AMR constitutes a long journey, and technical and financial support needs to be deployed to optimize the use of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness, Antibiotics Prescription Errors and Dispensing Patterns by Community Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundAntibiotic overuse and misuse have greatly facilitated the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that took a strategic approach, beginning with the prohibition of over-the-counter antibiotic dispensing, followed by the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs and various educational and awareness governmental activities and plans. However, the status of antibiotic prescriptions and dispensing in Saudi community pharmacies is still unclear. As a result, this study investigates community pharmacists' antibiotic dispensing practices and their knowledge of their role in fighting AMR, in addition to the status of antibiotic prescribing errors by physicians. MethodThis is an online-based survey study of 671 participants distributed among community pharmacists of large pharmacy chains throughout the Saudi Arabia. ResultA number of 671 community pharmacists were participated in total, with a response rate of 96.57% (648 responses). The majority of community pharmacists (67%) had a long experience (>5 years) in this field. An antibiotic prescribing error was prevalent, with a mean of 3.32 per month in each pharmacy. Dentists (36.7%) and general practitioners (28.7%) were the most prescribers associated with antibiotic prescription errors. Most community pharmacists had a generally good practice of dispensing antibiotics, accounting for 71.5% of daily antibiotic dispensing. However, more than one-third of those pharmacists (35.2%) agreed on dispensing topical antibiotics without a prescription, based on their evaluation of the case presented in the pharmacy, as the majority of community pharmacists demonstrated a significant understanding of AMR. ConclusionThe current study demonstrated that there is a good antibiotic dispensing practice in the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia, in addition to a substantial understanding of the community pharmacist’s vital role in fighting AMR. This study could inform decision-makers on antibiotic usage in Saudi community pharmacies to improve the current inappropriate antibiotic use and dispensing situation and, thus, control AMR spread in Saudi Arabia.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Preterm Infants: Encouraging Staff Nurse Engagement.

In NICUs, antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed medications. Misuse or overuse of antibiotics may lead to resistant species and other life-threatening complications and untoward effects. Antimicrobial stewardship programs-coordinated programs that promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials (including antibiotics)-have reduced unnecessary medication administration, costs, readmissions, complications, and mortality rates related to antimicrobial agents, predominantly among adult patients in many hospitals. At the same time, however, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs among preterm infants has been challenging, especially for staff nurses in NICUs. This article provides an overview of the literature addressing the concept of stewardship, outlines core elements of antibiotic stewardship programs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and examines strategies for nursing implementation in NICUs focusing on preterm infants.

Burkholderia Cepacia: An Emerging Superbug in Intensive Care Unit Settings of Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan

Objective: To determine the frequency, risk factors, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Burkholderia cepacia isolates from clinical specimens in a Pakistani tertiary care hospital.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional Study&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul 2017 to Jun 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: The Burkholderia cepacia strains were isolated from clinical samples by routine microbiological methods. In our laboratory, the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolate were made by API 20NE and VITEK-2 Automated Microbiology Analyzer.&#x0D; Results: Four hundred and nineteen (419) str5-ains of Burkholderia cepacia were isolated during the study period. Among them,277(66.1%) and 57(13.6%) isolates were from blood cultures and lower respiratory tracts, respectively. The antibiotic-resistant rates of the isolates of Minocycline, Cotrimoxazole, Levofloxacin, Meropenem, and Ceftazidime were 13(3.1%), 26(6.2%), 49(11.6%),74(17.6%) and 118(28.16%) respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: We observed a gradual increase in the frequency of isolation. A surge in antimicrobial resistance was also seen during the study period underscoring the need for rigorous implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection control practices.

The Role of an Infectious Diseases Faculty Pharmacist and Pharmacy Students on an Antimicrobial Stewardship Team at a Community Non-teaching Hospital

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship program implementation at non-teaching community hospitals differs due to staffing and resource disparities. Objective: Demonstrate that an infectious disease (ID) pharmacist faculty with advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students can expand antimicrobial stewardship services at non-teaching community hospitals. Methods: A single-center, retrospective chart review was conducted comparing prospective audit and feedback antimicrobial stewardship interventions by an ID pharmacist faculty with and without APPE students between January 16, 2020 to January 16, 2021. The primary endpoints were intervention rate and the intervention acceptance rate. Secondary endpoints included: the difference in the time from antimicrobial order to intervention and length of stay, as well as comparison of acceptance rates stratified by intervention type or the antimicrobial intervened upon. Results: A total of 739 antimicrobial stewardship interventions were made with an overall acceptance rate of 55.2%. The ID pharmacist faculty with APPE students had a higher number of interventions and intervention rate per working day compared to without students (428 vs 311 and 4.46 vs 2.99, respectively). Conversely, the intervention acceptance rate was lower for the ID pharmacist faculty with APPE students vs without (48.8% vs 64%, P < .001). Both the median time from antimicrobial order to the intervention and length of stay was lower for the ID pharmacist faculty with students vs without (2.50 days [interquartile range (IQR) 1.24 - 4.01] vs 2.99 days [IQR 1.64 - 4.95], P = .003, and 9.20 days [IQR 5.57 - 14.93] vs 11.69 days [IQR 6.89 - 22.31], P < .001, respectively). The acceptance rates by intervention type and the antimicrobial intervened upon were similar between groups. Conclusion: An ID pharmacist faculty with APPE students at a non-teaching community hospital increased the number of stewardship interventions, and was associated with decreased time from antimicrobial order to intervention and length of stay.