45. Significantly Decreased Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Use (Carbapenems And Fluoroquinolones) with Implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) and Pharmacist Interventions
Abstract Background According to the WHO, carbapenems and fluoroquinolones (FQ) should be key targets for stewardship programs. Methods A multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) was implemented in July 2018 at a 160-bed tertiary care center serving the tristate area of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. Carbapenem and FQ use during pre-ASP intervention period (P1: 12/01/2016-6/30/2018) was compared with ASP-intervention period (P2: 07/01/2018-1/31/2020). ASP interventions included: stewardship educational pearls in monthly physician newsletters; educational posters in provider areas; suppression of carbapenem results on microbiology susceptibility reports; provider counseling for appropriate ordering; creating carbapenem alternative alert in order-entry software; removing FQ and carbapenems from order-sets where appropriate; default antibiotic stop dates changed to 7 days in EMR (Epic); adverse effects warning fired as an alert when ordering FQ. Pharmacist interventions: procalcitonin protocol allowing pharmacists to reorder follow-up procalcitonin and make recommendations to discontinue therapy where appropriate. Results FQ use declined significantly from a mean of 133 days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 days to 46 DOT per 1000 patient days during P2 (p< 0.0001). Carbapenem use declined significantly from a mean of 65 DOT per 1000 patient days during P1 to 9 DOT per 1000 patient days in P2 (p< 0.001). All hospital units showed a significant decrease in use, with intensive care units (ICUs) noting 56% reduction (p< 0.00001) during P2 compared to P1. During P2, 55% of orders for carbapenems and FQ during P2 were found to be appropriate compared to 39% in P1 (p< 0.0001). Sensitivity profile for Pseudomonas aeruginosa improved from 86% carbapenem sensitivity during P1 to 89% in P2 and no Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified during the study period; FQ sensitivity remained stable at 81%. Cost savings of &757 per 1000 patient days were recognized in P2 as a result of reduced use. Conclusion With ASP and pharmacist interventions, a significant decline in total utilization of carbapenem and FQ, considerable cost savings and an increase in proportion of appropriate use were observed. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures