Antimicrobial stewardship in Australian hospitals: How does compliance with antimicrobial stewardship standards compare across key hospital classifications?

Abstract

Background: There is little information on the prevalence and type of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities that are currently occurring in Australian hospitals. Objectives: To determine what AMS activities are currently occurring in Australian hospitals, identify gaps in compliance with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) standards and determine perceived barriers and enablers for implementing AMS programmes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey open to all Australian hospitals, conducted online and available to hospitals between November 2016 and July 2017. Results: Responses were received from 254 hospitals. Compliance with ACSQHC AMS essential activi..