Lighter-Fisher J, et al. - Researchers here focus on implementing an inpatient pediatric prospective audit and feedback antimicrobial stewardship program within a larger medical center. They realized that within larger institutions, pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have opportunities to create programs specific to the needs of the population they serve. There appeared high rates of adherence by providers and a subsequent reduction in antibiotic utilization when implementing an audit feedback-based process.

Methods

• Process change were measured by using provider adherence with clinical inpatient practice guidelines, frequency of interventions suggested by ASP, and acceptance of interventions by providers.
• Measurement of outcome data was performed by analyzing antimicrobial utilization (defined as days of therapy) and length of therapy.

Results

• Over a period of 2 years, there appeared applicability of institutional ASP guidelines to nearly half (44%) of all antimicrobial orders.
• On 30% of all antimicrobial orders, interventions were performed, of which 89% were accepted.
• A significant decrease in total antimicrobial days of therapy and length of therapy was noticed when comparing pre- and post-ASP.
• Overall, stable susceptibility profiles of common bacterial pathogens to antibiotics remained there.