STUDY TO COMBAT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE WITH STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Background: The global antimicrobial resistance burden is growing and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in both clinical and community settings. The spread of antibiotic resistance to different environmental niches and the emergence of superbugs complicate the control strategies even further. International, national, and local approaches to antimicrobial resistance management and prevention have been suggested. To combat antimicrobial resistance, a multidisciplinary, collaborative, regulatory approach is needed. Aim: The aim of this study is to highlight the use of antimicrobial stewardship which helps us achieve optimal outcome of the infection with minimizing toxicity, reducing costs and limiting microbial resistance throughout the rational use of antibiotics. Stewardship strategies are discussed, and a strategy is developed for implementing a stewardship program. Objectives:To assess the Prescription pattern in infectious diseases. To monitor the clinical outcomes in patients treated with different antimicrobial therapies in infectious diseases. To analyse the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of common microorganisms. Evaluation of the rational and irrational use of drugs. De-escalation of antimicrobial therapy (stewardship program) Methods: This is a prospective observational study that was conducted to assess antibiotic therapy and its clinical outcomes in infectious diseases over a period of six months using designed data collection form as a tool. Results: Of the 150 patients analysed over a period of six months, it was observed that, for the antibiotics prescribed by the hospital physicians, only 43% of antibiotics were observed to be rational while 57% were irrational. Conclusion: Our results show that the choices of antibiotics only occasionally comply with the ICMR and NCDC guidelines for the management of infectious patients. We therefore concluded that irrationality in prescribing was more prominent and therefore implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Program is essential.