Qualitative study of the factors impacting antimicrobial stewardship programme delivery in regional and remote hospitals

Abstract

Background: Many regional and remote (‘regional’) hospitals are without the specialist services that support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes in hospitals in major cities. This can impact their ability to implement AMS activities. Aim: To identify factors that impact on the delivery of AMS programmes in regional hospitals. Methods: Healthcare clinicians who have primary AMS responsibilities or provide AMS support to a health service or across health services with an Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness classification of inner regional, outer regional, remote or very remote were recruited purposively and via snowballing. A series of focus groups and interviews were h..