title: Role of infectious diseases consultants in management of antimicrobial use in hospitals.
abstract: The Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network (EIN) surveyed its members to characterize antimicrobial restriction policies in their hospitals and the involvement of infectious diseases consultants in this process. Of the 502 respondents (73%), 250 (50%) indicated that their hospital pharmacies would not dispense certain antimicrobials without approval of infectious diseases consultants. Moreover, 89% agreed that infectious diseases consultants need to be directly involved in the approval process. At hospitals with control policies, commonly restricted agents included lipid formulations of amphotericin B, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, piperacillin-tazobactam, and vancomycin. Only 46 EIN members (18%) reported remuneration of infectious diseases consultants for participation in the approval process. Pediatric infectious diseases consultants were more likely to practice in hospitals with restriction policies than were adult infectious diseases consultants (64% vs. 45%; P<.001). Similarly, teaching hospitals were more likely to have antimicrobial-control policies than were nonteaching facilities (60% vs. 17%; P<.001).
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Sunenshine
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Liedtke
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jernigan
authors.forename: Larry J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Strausbaugh
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003253:Consultants; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents