Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of antimicrobial usage: the first step for antimicrobial stewardship

Abstract

The identification of antimicrobial use patterns is essential for determining key targets for antimicrobial stewardship interventions and evaluating the effectiveness thereof. Accurately identifying antimicrobial use patterns requires quantitative evaluation, which focuses on measuring the quantity and frequency of antimicrobial use, and qualitative evaluation, which assesses the appropriateness, effectiveness, and potential side effects of antimicrobial prescriptions. This paper summarizes the quantitative and qualitative methods used to evaluate antimicrobials, drawing insights from overseas and domestic cases.

Difference in Baseline Antimicrobial Prescription Patterns of Hospitals According to Participation in the National Antimicrobial Monitoring and Feedback System in Korea

“… 2 KONAS provides the results of quantitative analyses of the antimicrobial prescriptions from each participating hospital, in order to allow hospitals to easily comprehend their antimicrobial prescription status and help implement an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). 2 3 Due to the lack of appropriate rewards and obligations regarding the implementation of ASPs, many medium-to-small-sized Korean hospitals have yet to establish ASP in their hospitals and are hesitant to participate in KONAS. 4 Reflecting on this situation, only 15.9% (58/365) of secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals participated in the KONAS in 2022, its first year.…”

“… 10 Unfortunately, support and/or manpower for ASPs are still insufficient in many Korean hospitals, 11 although in this regard, KONAS plays an important role in supporting ASPs. 3 Given that national policy legislation to support the institutionalization of ASPs has been discussed, sufficient personnel for ASP (ID physicians, clinical pharmacists, etc.) with computerized support systems for antibiotic prescriptions as well as tracking and monitoring are expected to be established in Korean hospitals soon, with the role of KONAS emphasized accordingly.…”

“…Antibiotic classes were defined by KONAS, with a few categories added after discussion with the research group ( Supplementary Table 1 ). 3 8 …”