Title
Effects of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives on hospital inpatients' prescription of antibiotics in Saudi
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance rates are increasing in Saudi hospitals and healthcare facilities, posing a risk to patient care and access. The misuse of antibiotics contributes to this issue, necessitating the adoption of measures to protect antibiotics and reduce resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can enhance antibiotic use, treatment outcomes, and resistance(1). An ASP strategy was developed nationally by the Saudi Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Saudi Arabia implemented antimicrobial containment and infection prevention and control programs in MOH hospitals in 2015 after realizing the importance and impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Kingdom of Arabia created its first AMR National Action Plan in 2017. The 2017 National Action Plan outlined several strategic projects, many of which have been effectively executed while others are still in various phases of development(2). The objective of this research is to assess the acceptability and implementation rate of ASP in Saudi Arabia, along with the elements that contribute to its success.
Introduction
AMR is a growing global threat with potentially lethal consequences. Multidrug-resistant bacteria are quickly spreading throughout the world, producing significant medical and economic implications, rendering common illnesses and infections incurable, and jeopardizing the effectiveness of life-saving treatments and procedures. Several factors contribute to the spread of AMR, including over-prescription of antibiotics for viral and bacterial infections, exposure to antibiotics in the food chain (including water), emergence of bacterial resistance through mutation, and inadequate infection and disease prevention in communities.
The Antimicrobial Resistance( AMR) National Action Alan is a revised incident to the National Strategy for Combating AMR( 2022- 2025)(2), which builds on the Kingdom's 2017 National Action Plan on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance.
Discussion
The Kingdom's 2022 AMR plan emphasizes the importance of an effective One Health approach.Education and training were identified as critical components of successful ASPs in Saudi Arabian hospitals. Has built an evidence-based communication approach targeting the public for both human and animal health.
Assess public awareness of AMR.Design and construct reference microbiology laboratory facilities for effective epidemiological surveillance of antibiotic resistance. Determine the country's priority microorganisms with resistance mechanisms for AMR surveillance, then develop and use WHO model antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems (GLASS).
ASP implementation in hospitals reduced antibiotic consumption and the prevalence of some resistant strains, adding to the evidence for its effectiveness. However, restricting antimicrobials may reduce resistance to some strains while increasing resistance to others, resulting in the "squeeze the balloon effect(3)." Resistance rates are also determined by the duration of antibiotic treatment. These should be considered when evaluating ASP outcomes. Hospitals also track resistance rates, particularly MDR.
Conclusion
Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have the potential to improve infection cure rates, reduce treatment failures, and enhance the frequency of accurate antimicrobial prescribing for treatment and prophylaxis. Additionally, they greatly lower hospital antibiotic resistance rates.
References:
- Alghamdi S, Berrou I, Aslanpour Z, Mutlaq A, Haseeb A, Albanghali M, et al. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes in saudi hospitals: Evidence from a national survey. Antibiotics. 2021;10(2).
- Public Health Authority Antimicrobial Resistance Program.
- Alghamdi S, Berrou I, Bajnaid E, Aslanpour Z, Haseeb A, Hammad MA, et al. Antimicrobial stewardship program implementation in a saudi medical city: An exploratory case study. Antibiotics. 2021;10(3).
