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Health care  –  Set up a program

Assess the situation

An initial situational assessment of how antibiotics are currently being used will serve both to identify areas for improvement and also to supply baseline information against which to compare findings in later evaluations.

The type of assessment depends on the resources available and the scope of the program or intended interventions.

Assess existing or generate new data

Antibiotic resistance: As antibiotic resistance develops and spreads, antibiotics that were once used may no longer be effective against bacteria. The clinical microbiology laboratory is responsible for identifying organisms, genotyping and determining if bacteria are susceptible, or sensitive to antibiotics. Susceptibility testing also provides input into the development of treatment guidelines which should be done at the local level and repeated regularly. See MEASURE: Antibiotic resistance.

Consumption of antibiotics: Monitoring and analysis of antibiotic use is one of the main objectives of a rational use program. Health care facilities should regularly review which prescriptions are being written and which drugs are actually being consumed. See MEASURE: Consumption.

Appropriateness of use: It is important to know if the right antibiotic is being used for the right indication. One method is to review patient medical records, using prevalence surveys to get a snapshot of prescribing practices, another is to use clinical audits. See MEASURE: MEASURE: Appropriate use.

Quality of antibiotics: Administration of low-quality antibiotics can have detrimental effects on patient health and can lead to the spread of resistance. Methods for detecting such quality issues exist and should be incorporated into rational use initiatives. See MEASURE: Quality.

Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices: The view prescribers have on rational use can provide insight to accompanying use data and inform behavior change interventions. See MEASURE: KABP

Understand barriers, facilitators and readiness for change

A successful implementation can be enabled or hindered by policies and guidelines, individual responsiveness or level of organizational support. Brainstorming, interviews, focus groups, observations or surveys can be used to help understand the barriers and facilitators to developing effective programs and interventions.

While change can be easy and exciting for some, others find it daunting and can be skeptical of the positive impact it can make. Readiness for change is about being open to something new and willingness to sustain initiatives over time. Receptiveness to change is dependent on strong leadership, clear vision, and good management.

Selected Resources

Resource Description
Antimicrobial stewardship programmes in health-care facilities in low- and middle-income countries: A WHO practical toolkit Manual with guidance for setting up and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs. Chapters 4.2 and 4.3 provide tips for health facilities for doing a situational or SWOT analysis and identifying human resources. Available in English, Arabic, Russian, French and Spanish.
Antibiotic stewardship program assessment tool (PDF 1,6 MB) This document provides the reader with a checklist of Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs developed by the US CDC. It is a companion to Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs.
How to Investigate Antimicrobial Use in Hospitals: Selected Indicators This manual defines indicators for the management and use of antibiotics in hospitals. It provides tools and step-by-step instructions for designing and carrying out assessment activities. Also available in French and Spanish.

More from "Set up a program"

1.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC. Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. Preprint at https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/core-elements/hospital.html (2019).
1.
WHO. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes in health-care facilities in low- and middle-income countries: A WHO practical toolkit. Preprint at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515481 (2019).
1.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: Antibiotic Stewardship Program Assessment Tool. Preprint at https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/healthcare/pdfs/assessment-tool-P.pdf (2019).
1.
Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services. How to Investigate Antimicrobial Use in Hospitals: Selected Indicators. Preprint at http://siapsprogram.org/publication/how-to-investigate-antimicrobial-use-in-hospitals-selected-indicators/ (2012).
1.
Cruickshank, M. & Duguid, M. Antimicrobial stewardship in Australian hospitals 2011. (Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Health Care, 2011).