AbstractPurposeAntimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major public health problem with India being one of the worst affected nations. Hence effective antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMSP) are needed. We report the design, implementation and results of a prospective audit and feedback based AMSP at a private tertiary care hospital.MethodsDuring the study period – January 2018 to December 2019 – the prescription of restricted antimicrobials required the filling of a justification form which was reviewed by the antimicrobial stewardship committee (AMSC) at 48-72 hours. Patients in whom the restricted antimicrobial was stopped earlier than 48 hours were not applicable for review. The eligible prescriptions were judged as justified/unjustified by AMSC based on the patient’s clinical and previous antimicrobial history, course and results of investigations/ cultures, and communicated to the treating team. Compliance to the recommendations of the AMSC was measured. Days of therapy for each restricted antimicrobial/1000 patient days was calculated. Colistin resistance rates in pathogens causing central line associated blood stream infections were compared with previous years.ResultsA total of 2397 restricted antimicrobials in 1366 patients were prescribed in the study period of which 1801 prescriptions were applicable for review (75%). Overall, 1.4% of admitted patients were prescribed restricted antimicrobials. The total days of therapy with restricted antimicrobials was 41.5/1000 patient days. The AMSC committee adjudged 12.5% of prescriptions as unjustified and recommendations for de-escalation were accepted in 89%. There was no significant difference in any of the study outcomes between 2018 and 2019. Colistin resistance rates in CLABSI remained stable as compared to previous years.ConclusionThe prospective audit and feedback component of AMSP provides insights into the use of restricted antimicrobials. This component should be considered by hospitals for inclusion in their program on an ongoing basis even if limited for a few drugs and in few areas of the hospital.
The implementation and outcome of a 2-year prospective audit and feedback based antimicrobial stewardship program at a private tertiary care hospital