title: Six years of a national antimicrobial stewardship programme in Scotland: where are we now?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) was established in 2008 to lead delivery of the national antimicrobial stewardship programme. We performed a national self-reported survey in 2014 to evaluate stewardship activities delivered by regional Antimicrobial Management Teams (AMTs). An on-line survey was developed utilising validated indicators from a published European study along with questions specific to the Scottish context. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the responses received.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey was completed by 14 of the 15 AMTs (response rate 93 %). Results demonstrated good compliance with 9 of the 10 key European indicators included in the survey; 7 (50 %) of AMTs achieved all 9 indicators and 14 (100 %) of AMTs achieved at least 6 out of 9 indicators (67 %). Progress was also demonstrated across a range of stewardship activities and areas for further work were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey results suggest the national stewardship programme in Scotland has reached maturity but consolidation and ongoing development are required. Collaborative working between SAPG and AMTs together with central funding has been key to achieving this level of success.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Scottish Medicines Consortium, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colligan
authors.affiliation: Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Scottish Medicines Consortium, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP UK.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sneddon
authors.affiliation: Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Scottish Medicines Consortium, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP UK.
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bayne
authors.affiliation: HAI and Infection Control Group, Health Protection Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland, 4th Floor, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 6QE UK.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Malcolm
authors.affiliation: NHS Education for Scotland, Westport,102 Westport, Edinburgh, EH3 9DN UK.
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: NHS Tayside, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Ward 42, East Block, Dundee, DD19SY UK.
authors.forename: Dilip
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nathwani
keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Antimicrobial stewardship; Structural and function indicators