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Experience with developing antibiotic stewardship programs in Serbia: potential model for other Balkan countries?
Marija Kalaba1,2, Jovan Kosutic2,3, Brian Godman4,5,6
1Primary Healthcare Centre 'Zemun', Šilerova 46, Belgrade, Serbia.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance in children remains high despite decreased antibiotic use. This study highlights the need for robust antibiotic stewardship programs in pediatric hospitals to combat inappropriate prescribing and resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Public Health
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and inappropriate antibiotic use in children are significant global health concerns.
- Developing comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programs is crucial, particularly in resource-limited settings like children's hospitals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze antimicrobial utilization and resistance patterns over five years in a Serbian tertiary care children's hospital.
- To inform the development of future antibiotic use guidelines and stewardship initiatives.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational analysis.
- Evaluation of antimicrobial consumption and resistance data over a 5-year period.
- Focus on a tertiary care pediatric hospital setting.
Main Results:
- Cumulative antimicrobial resistance rates decreased but remained high.
- High resistance was observed for frequently used antibiotics.
- Overall antibiotic use declined from 2010 to 2014, yet reserved antibiotic prescribing remained high.
Conclusions:
- Despite progress, significant challenges with inappropriate antibiotic use and high resistance persist.
- The findings support the ongoing development of antibiotic stewardship programs and national policy review in Serbia.
- Emphasis on optimizing antibiotic prescribing in pediatric populations is essential.
Aim:
Antimicrobial resistance and inappropriate use of antibiotics in children are important issues. Consequently, there is a need to develop comprehensive stewardship programs even in hospitals with limited resources starting with children's hospitals.
Methods:
Retrospective observational analysis of antimicrobial utilization and resistance patterns over 5 years in a tertiary care children's hospital in Serbia.
Results:
Cumulative antimicrobial resistance decreased but was still high, with high cumulative resistance rates among the most widely used antibiotics in the hospital. Total antibiotic use decreased from 2010 to 2014 although there was still high prescribing of reserved antibiotics.
Conclusion:
Concerns with inappropriate use and high resistance rates among some antibiotics used in the hospital are being used to develop guidance on future antibiotic use in this hospital, building on the recently introduced antibiotic stewardship program, as well as encourage other hospitals in Serbia to review their policies.
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