IMPROVING THE ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL SCIENCES OF COMPANION ANIMALS AT UTRECHT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Antimicrobial Stewardship is of great importance to decrease antimicrobial resistance patterns. This can be carried out by stimulating changes in antimicrobial usage and monitoring and evaluating resistance data. This follow-up study compares results of 2013- 2017 to 2018 and 2019 to improve the current Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) at the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals (CSCA) at Utrecht University. Antimicrobial usage was quantified by calculating the defined daily doses per animal (DDDA). The DDDA was 3.77 in 2018 and 3.08 in 2019. Compared to 2013-2017, the DDDA had decreased significantly. In both 2018 and 2019, the majority of prescribed antimicrobials were classified as second-line drugs. Penicillins were the antimicrobial group most prescribed and the most prescribed active substance in both 2018 and 2019 was amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Out of all sub-departments at the CSCA, antimicrobials were used most at the Intensive Care Unit. In 2018, 509 out of 1206 bacterial culture samples submitted for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, tested as multi-drug-resistant (MDR). In 2019 this number was 422 out of 1082. The General Surgery division submitted the most samples in 2018 and 2019. To improve the ASP at the CSCA, antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance data should be monitored and evaluated on a regular basis. Employees should be reminded of the importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship and prescribe antimicrobials carefully. In addition, more bacterial culture samples should be submitted to test antimicrobial resistance.