A Survey of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean Hospitals

Background/Aims: We evaluated the status of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) for physicians. This survey was a follow-up study of data from 2006 and was performed with some new questions about ASPs. Methods: The online survey collected information on infectious diseases from doctors in 84 hospitals. The questions included some about ASPs. The data were analyzed and compared with a previous report. Results: Responses came from 40 hospitals. ASPs existed in 87.5% of these (95.5% in 2006), and a computerized preauthorization system was the most common method (85.0%, 59.1% in 2006). An antimicrobial management team existed in 33 hospitals (82.5%), and the preauthorization systems were mainly implemented by infectious disease doctors (72.5%). Incentives to set up ASPs existed in only 12.5% of hospitals (2.3% in 2006). Conclusions: Computerized preauthorization ASP systems are relatively more common. To improve the uptake of ASPs in each hospital a team approach from the medical institutions is required, along with the cooperation and willingness of those involved. (