Antibiotic Stewardship in Pediatrics

A pediatric antimicrobial stewardship program reduced antibiotic costs by more than US$50,000 during the 4-month study period.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) vary in makeup but generally combine the expertise of infectious diseases experts and pharmacists to optimize the prescribing of antimicrobial agents. Little information has been published about the value of ASPs in children’s hospitals. Investigators in Philadelphia recently conducted a prospective observational study to examine the use and effects of an ASP at a children’s hospital.

The ASP team consisted of two doctoral-level pharmacists and an infectious diseases physician director. The service was staffed by one of the pharmacists for 8 hours on weekdays and by infectious diseases fellows during evenings and weekends; the director was available for consultation at all times. Use of a nonformular…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease