Development of Antibiotic Classification for Measuring Antibiotic Usage in Korean Hospitals Using a Modified Delphi...

Area of Science:

• * Medical Informatics
• * Pharmacology
• * Infectious Diseases

Background:

• * In 2019, a project was initiated in Korea to establish a system for measuring and comparing hospital antibiotic consumption.
• * Accurate measurement and comparison are crucial for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To develop a standardized classification system for antibiotic usage in Korean hospitals.
• * To facilitate the measurement and comparison of antibiotic prescribing patterns.

Main Methods:

• * A modified Delphi method was employed to achieve consensus on the classification criteria.
• * The Delphi method involved iterative expert consultation to refine categories.

Main Results:

• * Six categories for antibiotic classification in Korean hospitals were established and accepted.
• * Categories include broad-spectrum agents for hospital-onset and community-acquired infections, agents for resistant gram-positive infections, narrow-spectrum beta-lactams, agents for extensively drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, and total antibacterial agents.

Conclusions:

• * The developed classification system provides a framework for analyzing antibiotic usage in Korean hospitals.
• * This classification can support antimicrobial stewardship initiatives and public health surveillance.