title: Optimization of antibiotic use in hospitals--antimicrobial stewardship and the EU project ABS international.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ABS International is the first EU-funded initiative focusing on the implementation of structural measures in hospitals to promote the prudent use of ABs.
authors.affiliation: ABS-Group, Project Office, Roland Gareis Consulting, Vienna, Austria. Franz.Allerberger@ages.at
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Allerberger
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wechsler-Fördös
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gareis
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards*; D005062:European Union; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents