The economic impact of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in hospitals: a systematic literature review

Publication date: Available online 14 March 2019Source: Journal of Hospital InfectionAuthor(s): C. Huebner, N.-O. Huebner, S. FlessaSummaryBackgroundAntimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) include strategies that enable sustainable management of rational anti-infective treatment in the clinical setting. The successful introduction of ASPs requires close interdisciplinary collaboration among various health professionals, including the hospital management. So far, ASPs have been evaluated mainly from a clinical–pharmacological and infectious disease perspective.AimTo identify and evaluate parameters with decisive significance for the economic impact of ASPs.MethodsA systematic literature search for peer-reviewed health-economic studies associated with antimicrobial stewardship programmes was performed. Primary outcomes included savings in drug costs and lower revenue losses for hospitals.Findings and conclusionsA total of 16 studies met all inclusion criteria. Most of the evidence from published clinical trials demonstrated savings through reduced direct cost of antibiotics. However, there are also studies that prove revenue effects of ASPs through decreases in length of stay and readmission rates.
Source: Journal of Hospital Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research