Building an antimicrobial stewardship model for a public-sector hospital: a pre-implementation study

Introduction. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as an important global health risk, associated with increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) involves a coherent set of processes that promote the rational use of antimicrobials.Gap statement. An AMS programme should be adapted and developed according to the available resources of a facility. This requires an analysis of the core AMS elements that are already in place and the resources available.Aim. This study aimed to assess the readiness of a tertiary healthcare facility and staff towards implementing an antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP).Methodology. This study focused on two aspects during an AMS pre-implementation phase. A situational or strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis was conducted based on (1) a questionnaire on attitudes and perceptions of pharmacists, clinicians and nurses towards AMR and AMS and (2) a situational analysis on the readiness of the facility.Results. The questionnaire, which was available for completion between September 2021 and December 2021, was sent to a total of 3100 healthcare professionals (HCPs). Thirty-two (1.0 %) HCPs comprising 2 pharmacists, 16 clinicians and 14 nurses completed the questionnaire. Of the total participants, 31 (96.9 %) viewed AMR as a problem in South African hospitals and 29 (90.6 %) perceived AMR as a problem at their facility. The majority (n = 29, 90.6 %) of the participants were familiar with the term AMS, and 26 (81.3 %) participants agreed to willingly participate in any initiatives involving antimicrobial use at the facility. The situational analysis depicted existing strengths in terms of AMS structures such as the formation of an AMS committee and information and technology systems at the HCP's disposal. Weaknesses included the limited number of AMS activities being carried out and poor participation from HCPs within the AMS team.Conclusion. A pre-implementation phase in the building of an ASP can greatly assist in finding gaps for improvement, which can then be addressed in the implementation phase. Furthermore, the pre-implementation phase provides a baseline to measure improvements once the implementation phase has been instituted.