Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions on Appropriateness of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis: How to Improve

• Main Authors: Beatrice Tiri, Paolo Bruzzone, Giulia Priante, Emanuela Sensi, Monya Costantini, Carlo Vernelli, Lucia Assunta Martella, Marsilio Francucci, Paolo Andreani, Alessandro Mariottini, Andrea Capotorti, Vito D’Andrea, Daniela Francisci, Roberto Cirocchi, Stefano Cappanera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Antibiotics
• Subjects: surgical site infections; antimicrobial stewardship; surgical antibiotic prophylaxis; appropriateness; healthcare-associated infections; antibiotic resistance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/9/4/168

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections. The appropriate use of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (SAP) is a key component to reduce SSIs, while its inappropriate application is a major cause of some emerging infections and selects for antibiotic resistance. We describe an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) intervention on SAP appropriateness. The prospective study was conducted in an Italian hospital, in 12 main surgical units, and was organized in three subsequent phases, as follows. Phase 0: Definition of hospital evidence-based guidelines and a new workflow to optimize the process of ordering, dispensing, administering and documenting the SAP. Phase 1: We analysed 2059 elective surgical cases from January to June 2018 for three SAP parameters of appropriateness: indication, choice and dose. Phase 2: In July 2018, an audit was performed to analyse the results; we reviewed 1781 elective surgical procedures from July to December 2018 looking for the same three SAP appropriateness parameters. The comparative analysis between phases 1 and 2 demonstrated that the correct indication, the correct dose and the overall compliance significantly improved (<i>p</i>-value 0.00128, <i>p</i>-value < 2.2·10¹⁶ and <i>p</i>-value < 5.6·10¹² respectively). Our prospective study demonstrates a model of successful antimicrobial stewardship intervention that improves appropriateness on SAP.