A study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, examined the impact of an educational antimicrobial stewardship program on hospital-acquired candidemia and multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections.
Researchers conducted a quasi-experimental intervention study with an interrupted time-series analysis. The study examined a multifaceted educational intervention at a tertiary care hospital over a five-year period.
The intervention included peer-to-peer educational interviews between counselors and antibiotic prescribers from all departments.
The study shows a quick and intense reduction in antibiotic consumption occurred six months after the implementation of the intervention. The reduction was sustained over the next few years.
Additionally, the intervention resulted in a decreasing trend in incidence density of candidemia and multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections. It also reduced mortality rate.