Flushing, N.Y.-based New York Hospital Queens implemented a hospital-wide antibiotic stewardship program and tracked the rate of antibiotic-resistant infections, antibiotic use patterns and antibiotic-related costs.
In addition to the major cost savings achieved in just one year, rates of antibiotic-resistant infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Clostridium difficile also decreased.
“We believe these findings show that limiting unnecessary antibiotics improves patient safety and streamlines use of limited healthcare dollars,” said Nishant Prasad, MD, attending physician in The Dr. James J. Rahal, Jr. Division of Infectious Diseases at New York Hospital Queens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a free checklist to for core elements of hospital antibiotic stewardship programs.
More articles on antibiotics:
12% of antibiotics prescribed via telephone
CDC to launch antibiotic use & resistance reporting module
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
