Hospital antibiotic management in the Czech Republic--results of the ABS maturity survey of the ABS International group.
BACKGROUND
Hospital antibiotic stewardship (ABS) programs are essential for ensuring long-lasting quality of antibiotic usage and for controlling antimicrobial resistance in the hospital setting.


METHODS
A questionnaire for self-assessment of a hospital's ABS maturity was sent to 80 Czech hospitals in May 2007. The survey was focused on diagnostic issues, control of antibiotic consumption, antibiotic-related organization and tools, antibiotic-related personnel development and antibiotic-related relationships to relevant environments.


RESULTS
Of 80 addressed hospitals, 45 sent back processed questionnaires (response rate 56.3%). These 80 hospitals cover about 85% of the Czech population. All Czech university hospitals were included in the replying group. The listed diagnostic tools were declared available by all hospitals; 44 of 45 hospitals have surveillance systems for antibiotic resistance rates. Control of antibiotic consumption was available only partially in 42 of 45 hospitals. Some antibiotic tools need to be improved and must be used more frequently. Official recognition, job descriptions and better funding of antibiotic personnel are needed, as well as support for further development of ABS structures and functions.


CONCLUSIONS
The basic structure of ABS is well developed in the Czech hospitals. A network of antibiotic centers focusing their services on optimization of antibiotic usage has been in place in the Czech Republic since the 1970s. Nevertheless, the survey revealed a clear need and many opportunities for further improvement. Control of antibiotic consumption is not implemented in all Czech hospitals and some of the essential antibiotic tools should be used more widely.
Na Homolce Hospital, and University Hospital Motol, Praha, Czech Republic. vlastimil.jindrak@homolka.cz
Vlastimil
V
Jindrák
Pavla
P
Urbásková
Tamara
T
Bergerová
Vladimír
V
Buchta
Markéta
M
Hanslianová
Magdaléna
M
Horníková
Václav
V
Chmelík
Otakar
O
Nyc
Václav
V
Vanis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents