A new antibiotic stewardship program approach is effective on inappropriate surgical prophylaxis and discharge prescription

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a new antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SP) and antibiotics in discharge prescriptions used as a continuation of SP. Methodology: The study included elective patients with clean and clean-contaminated wounds. The accuracy of the assigned SP was evaluated according to international guidelines. Primary outcome measures comprised appropriateness of prophylactic antibiotic indication, correct timing of initial dose, discontinuation of SP within 24 hours, and antibiotic prescription at discharge. A secondary outcome measure was to determine whether the effect of ASP was sustained long-term. Results: The total compliance rate for all stages of SP increased from 8% to 52.1% after the intervention (p < 0.05). When analyzed according to individual SP components, it was found that although ASP did not change first dose timing rates, it did affect the rates of prophylactic antibiotic indication, discontinuation of SP within 24 hours and antibiotic prescription at discharge, with statistical significance (p < 0.05). In addition, ASP continued to increase its effectiveness throughout the 3rd year. Conclusions: Based on the findings of our study, it seems clear that the modified ASP introduced in our general surgery clinic can be used effectively and simply; in addition, this ASP increases its efficacy with time.