Evaluation of educational strategies for hospital antimicrobial stewardship: a multisite approach

According to the World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major threats to human health in the twenty-first century. Many of the advances of modern medicine, such as cancer treatments and complex surgeries, are being threatened by the development of AMR. Antimicrobial overuse has been associated with the development of AMR. This has resulted in a situation where previously treatable infections can now become life-threatening. To address these risks, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) has been developed as an important strategy for improving the use of antimicrobials. AMS aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce adverse effects, and alleviate AMR. Most of the available literature on AMS has been derived from single site, metropolitan teaching hospitals with on-site infectious diseases, pharmacy and microbiology support. There remains an evidence gap for AMS strategies that are applicable to non-metropolitan and multisite hospital settings.