Related Experiment Videos
Implementation of a criteria-based antimicrobial formulary system
K E Record1, G R Dickens, A B Amerson
1College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, USA.
Summary
A criteria-based antimicrobial formulary system was developed to guide drug selection in a tertiary-care hospital. The system achieved 89% compliance, demonstrating effective antimicrobial stewardship.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Health Economics
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance necessitates optimized drug selection.
- Tertiary-care hospitals face complex antimicrobial prescribing challenges.
- Developing evidence-based guidelines is crucial for antimicrobial stewardship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and implementation of a criteria-based antimicrobial formulary system.
- To establish guidelines for appropriate antimicrobial prescribing in a university-based hospital.
- To integrate patient needs, efficacy, toxicity, and cost into antimicrobial selection.
Main Methods:
- A subcommittee of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee developed prescribing criteria.
- Criteria prioritized patient needs, then considered efficacy, toxicity, and cost.
- Educational materials and a specialized order form were created to support the program.
Main Results:
- The criteria-based antimicrobial formulary system was implemented in a 432-bed tertiary-care hospital.
- Hospital-wide compliance with prescribing criteria reached 89% in the first year.
- Compliance varied across departments, indicating areas for targeted intervention.
Conclusions:
- A criteria-based antimicrobial formulary system can be successfully implemented in a tertiary-care setting.
- The system demonstrated high overall compliance, supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
- Ongoing monitoring and education are essential to address departmental variations in compliance.