Structure of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Leading US Hospitals: Findings of a Nationwide Survey

Background. To examine antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) structure among high-performing hospitals and determine which components of the 2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)/Society for Hospital Epidemiology of America (SHEA) ASP guidelines are implemented at each site. Methods. A survey of the highest-ranking hospitals, compiled from the 2015-2016 US News and World Report's Best Hospital Rankings, was conducted from August to December 2016. This corresponded to 138 adult and 62 pediatric unique hospitals. We inquired as to which components of the 2016 IDSA/SHEA ASP guidelines were implemented at each site. Appropriate persons at each hospital were emailed surveys after telephone or email conversations confirmed that they belonged to that hospital's ASP. Results. Overall, 101 of 200 hospitals responded (51%). Of these, 82% (n = 83/101) had an active ASP, and 59% (n = 47/80) were active for more than 5 years. Most report to a committee rather than to an individual (n = 68/80, 85%), do not have their own budget (n = 42/80, 53%), and selectively implement IDSA/SHEA recommendations. Additionally, the majority of ASPs in top hospitals follow aspects of The Joint Commission Standards for Antimicrobial Stewardship, which were released after the survey was administered. Conclusions. Of leading US hospitals responding to our survey, >80% had an ASP, and most implemented the majority of commitments, interventions, and optimization strategies suggested by IDSA/SHEA. Understanding the structure of ASPs in these hospitals will assist other hospitals in program implementation.