Prescribing trends before and after implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program

Abstract

Objectives: Antimicrobial stewardship programs are recommended to reduce antimicrobial resistance by reducing inappropriate use of antimicrobials. We implemented an antimicrobial stewardship program and aimed to evaluate its effect on broad-spectrum antimicrobial use. Design, setting and participants: Observational study with historical control using interrupted time series analysis conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. Hospital inpatients prescribed restricted antimicrobials for non-standard indications, where approval had expired or without approval. Intervention: Baseline period of 30 months immediately followed by an 18-month intervention period commencing January 2011. Main outcome..