Multidisciplinary hospital antibiotic stewardship: a West London model

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance presents a major public health challenge at local, national and international levels. At a local level, the challenge is to tackle the antibiotic stewardship agenda, within the clinical governance framework, across all professional groups and specialities. This paper presents the response to this challenge in a large multi-site NHS trust. The approach focuses around a multi-disciplinary antibiotic steering group, in which a dedicated infectious diseases pharmacist plays a key role. Proposes seven key elements for a successful antibiotic stewardship programme and discuss examples of local action. These elements are: strong leadership; dedicated individuals with responsibility for leading on antibiotic use; integration into pre-existing trust structures; harnessing existing resources to deliver change; obtaining local data on prescribing patterns and resistance; communication; and education and training. All pillars of clinical governance are supported by the multi-disciplinary approach described.