Impact of a clinical pharmacist driven antimicrobial stewardship program at a tertiary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) driven by a clinical pharmacist on antimicrobial use, cost, and susceptibilities at a tertiary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A single-centre quasi-experimental design was employed, comparing pre-intervention and post-intervention phases of clinical pharmacist-driven ASP. The intervention involved the integration of clinical pharmacists into the ASP team, participating in medication reviews, providing prescriber education, and actively engaging in antimicrobial decision-making. Data were collected on quarterly antimicrobial utilisation, antimicrobial susceptibilities and antimicrobial cost. Results: Following the implementation of the clinical pharmacist-driven ASP, there was a significant reduction in ASP-focused antimicrobial utilisation, with a particular decline in the usage of broad-spectrum agents, Carbapenems, Fluoroquinolones, and Antifungals. Significant changes in the susceptibilities of some bacteria were noted. Significant decreases in antimicrobial expenditures were observed. Conclusion: The findings suggest that integrating clinical pharmacists into the antimicrobial stewardship program at the tertiary care hospital in the UAE substantially impacted optimising antimicrobial use. This model emphasises the crucial role of clinical pharmacists in promoting judicious antimicrobial prescribing practices, ultimately contributing to improved antimicrobial use and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance.