Review

Optimization of Antibiotic Use in Hospitals - Antimicrobial Stewardship and the EU Project ABS International
Franz Allerberger, Arno Lechner, Agnes Wechsler-Fördös, Roland Gareis, on behalf of ABS International

ABS-Group, Project Office, Roland Gareis Consulting, Vienna, Austria

Address of Corresponding Author

Chemotherapy 2008;54:260-267 (DOI: 10.1159/000149716)

  Key Words

• Antibiotics
• Antimicrobials
• Resistance
• Stewardship
• Project

  Abstract

Background: The problem of antimicrobial resistance requires common strategies at the European level. Methods: We report on an EU initiative fostering antibiotic (AB) stewardship (ABS) in hospitals. Results: The project 'ABS International: implementing antibiotic strategies for appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals in member states of the EU' started in September 2006 in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. A training program for national ABS trainers was prepared and standard templates for ABS tools (AB list, guidelines for AB treatment and surgical prophylaxis, and AB-related organization) and valid process measures as well as quality indicators for AB use were developed. Specific ABS tools are being implemented in up to five health care facilities per country. Conclusion: ABS International is the first EU-funded initiative focusing on the implementation of structural measures in hospitals to promote the prudent use of ABs.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  Author Contacts

Univ. Prof. Dr. Franz Allerberger
Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit
Spargelfeldstrasse 191, AT-1220 Wien (Austria)
Tel. +43 50555 35500, Fax +43 50555 25802
E-Mail Franz.Allerberger@ages.at

  Article Information

The Members of ABS International are shown in the Appendix.

Received: May 4, 2007
Accepted after revision: November 26, 2007
Published online: July 31, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 33

  Publication Details

Chemotherapy (International Journal of Experimental and Clinical Chemotherapy)

Vol. 54, No. 4, Year 2008 (Cover Date: August 2008)

Journal Editor: Sörgel F. (Nürnberg-Heroldsberg)
ISSN: 0009-3157 (Print), eISSN: 1421-9794 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/CHE

  Drug Dosage / Copyright

Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in goverment regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or, in the case of photocopying, direct payment of a specified fee to the Copyright Clearance Center.