Improving hospital antibiotic use

Abstract

Improving antibiotic use is an important component of efforts to prevent the emergence and spread of multi-resistant microorganisms in hospitals. There are many complex factors that influence clinical decision making such as antibiotic prescribing in hospitals. Guidelines for antibiotic use should be easily accessible and hospitals should develop their own antibiotic policies appropriate to their institutions. Effective implementation of guidelines requires support with strategies such as education, audit and feedback. Infection control practitioners (ICPs) need to be aware of the strategies used to improve hospital antibiotic use and may have an expanded role to play in the successful implementation of these programmes