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Antifungals are commonly used in modern healthcare because of the rising incidence of invasive fungal infections secondary to increasing use of invasive devices and immunosuppression. Despite the high cost of these medications, prescribing quality remains poor, with frequent unnecessary usage, incorrect antifungal choice, and suboptimal treatment duration.
Researchers in the U.K. recently published their experience with a newly introduced antifungal stewardship program in a 1100-bed tertiary teaching hospital that offers solid-organ and stem-cell transplantation services. Between July 2013 and June 2014, the antifungal stewardship team (AST) — an antimicrobial pharmacist and a consultant microbiologist — prospectively reviewed 173 patients w…