INTERNET-BASED INSTITUTIONAL ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM RESOURCES IN LEADING AMERICAN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS

Atrium

Objective. This study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of publicly accessible web-based resources offered by institution-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Background. Challenges related to the management of patients with infectious diseases has produced increased interest in ASPs. Methods. The list of University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) members was selected for analysis as a representation of the leading academic medical centers. Internet searches were performed to identify the existence of hospital and health-system web pages dedicated to ASPs. Websites were reviewed noting the presence of the following characteristics: ASP personnel involved, program description, hyperlinks to external resources, antibiogram, institution-specific clinical pathways/guidelines, formulary restriction policies or procedures, parenteral to oral conversion protocol, and dose optimization. The content was considered “comprehensive” when a program description accompanied resources for at minimum, three ASP elements. Results. The UHC membership list analysis produced 407 hospitals for evaluation. Of these, 29 (7%) were found to have online ASP resources through 24 unique websites. Fourteen (48%) of these were appraised as comprehensive. A general program description was available on 18 (75%) sites. Pharmacist and physician involvement was noted by 16 (67%) and 15 (63%) websites, respectively. Half of the websites provided an antibiogram or listed external hyperlinks related to antimicrobial use. Fourteen (58%) provided the list of restricted antimicrobial agents. Dosing recommendations and clinical pathways/guidelines were provided by 15 (63%) and 13 (54 %) sites, respectively. Conclusion. Publicly accessible web-based resources provided by ASPs of UHC hospitals exist in limited numbers and vary in structure and content. Grants. No grants were received