PSQ1 – Pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship: another focus for patient safety?

Link to EAHP Statements

• Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statements – 1.1, 1.2
• Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy: Statements – 4.1, 4.3
• Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.1, 5.2, 5.5, 5.7

Abstract 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a growing global health problem for several years now. So much so that by 2050 it is predicted to reach the fatal threshold of 10 million deaths per year, a statistic equivalent to the number of cancer deaths in 2020. This has recently been confirmed by the United Nations report ‘Bracing for Superbugs – Strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance’, published in February 2023 [1].

The document reiterates the need for a ‘One Health’ approach that addresses the various risk factors associated with the rise of antimicrobial resistance. The inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents is just one of the areas where more resources need to be invested.

Pharmacist-led Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) policies, which have been implemented at various levels for years, represent a good approach to promoting the appropriate use of this very important class of drugs.

As our knowledge of antimicrobial resistance evolves and new forms of resistance become more prevalent, it is of gaining importance to promote tailored AMS programmes for specific categories of patients. In this sense, promoting even personalized AMS gives us the opportunity to provide the right treatment for the right patient, against the right micro-organism.

Implementing Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), as well as other tools, to assist hospital pharmacists in managing antibiotic therapy becomes essential to ensure not only effective treatment but also, and above all, safe use.

For these reasons, in order to ensure a conscious and safe approach in your AMS programmes, this seminar will be an opportunity to provide you with useful practical and organisational tools that you can implement in your own reality. In addition, we will see how the aspect of safety takes on a primary value in an environment that is characterised by patients at high risk.

[1] United Nations Environment Programme (2023). Bracing for Superbugs: Strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance. Geneva

Learning objectives 

After the session, the participant should be able to:

• Understanding the safety issues to consider when implementing AMS
• Identifying and prioritising the most vulnerable populations to be targeted for increased safety focus
• Understand how hospital pharmacists can help lead AMS programmes

Educational need addressed

As healthcare professionals working in several multidisciplinary teams, we have to manage different AMS programmes, tailored to different types of patients. Its safety, even more than its effectiveness, needs special focus here.

Keywords

Antimicrobial stewardship, medication therapy management, medication safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacovigilance