The Hospital Antimicrobial Use Process: From Beginning to End

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infectious Disease Control
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs are vital for optimizing antimicrobial use.
• Ensuring appropriate antimicrobial utilization improves patient outcomes and combats antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the hospital antimicrobial use process (AUP) as a framework for AMS programs.
• To demonstrate how AMS can integrate into each step of the AUP to optimize antimicrobial prescribing.

Main Methods:

• The article presents a conceptual framework of the hospital antimicrobial use process (AUP).
• It details the sequential steps within the AUP: ordering, verification, preparation, administration, monitoring, and discharge prescribing.

Main Results:

• The AUP provides a comprehensive system for managing antimicrobial utilization.
• Identifying institutional AUP steps allows AMS programs to pinpoint areas for stewardship intervention.

Conclusions:

• Integrating AMS activities within the hospital's AUP is essential for enhancing appropriate antimicrobial use.
• A systematic approach to the AUP ensures all opportunities to optimize antimicrobial therapy are leveraged.