Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions on Appropriateness of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis: How to Improve

• Published in: Antibiotics (Basel) 2020-04, Vol.9 (4), p.168
• Main Authors: Tiri, Beatrice, Bruzzone, Paolo, Priante, Giulia, Sensi, Emanuela, Costantini, Monya, Vernelli, Carlo, Martella, Lucia Assunta, Francucci, Marsilio, Andreani, Paolo, Mariottini, Alessandro, Capotorti, Andrea, D'Andrea, Vito, Francisci, Daniela, Cirocchi, Roberto, Cappanera, Stefano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial agents; antimicrobial stewardship; appropriateness; Audits; Comparative analysis; Compliance; Dosage and administration; Drug resistance; Drug stores; Health education; healthcare-associated infections; Hospital costs; Indication; Infections; Intervention; Methods; Nosocomial infections; Parameters; Patients; Pharmacy; Prevention; Prophylaxis; Software; Study and teaching; Surgery; surgical antibiotic prophylaxis; Surgical site infections; Surgical wound infections; Thoracic surgery; Workflow
• ISSN: 2079-6382; 2079-6382
• DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9040168

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections. The appropriate use of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) is a key component to reduce SSIs, while its inappropriate application is a major cause of some emerging infections and selects for antibiotic resistance. We describe an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention on SAP appropriateness. The prospective study was conducted in an Italian hospital, in 12 main surgical units, and was organized in three subsequent phases, as follows. Phase 0: Definition of hospital evidence-based guidelines and a new workflow to optimize the process of ordering, dispensing, administering and documenting the SAP. Phase 1: We analysed 2059 elective surgical cases from January to June 2018 for three SAP parameters of appropriateness: indication, choice and dose. Phase 2: In July 2018, an audit was performed to analyse the results; we reviewed 1781 elective surgical procedures from July to December 2018 looking for the same three SAP appropriateness parameters. The comparative analysis between phases 1 and 2 demonstrated that the correct indication, the correct dose and the overall compliance significantly improved ( -value 0.00128, -value < 2.2·10 and -value < 5.6·10 respectively). Our prospective study demonstrates a model of successful antimicrobial stewardship intervention that improves appropriateness on SAP.