Linked to EAHP Statements:
Section 1: Introductory Statements and Governance
Section 4: Clinical Pharmacy Services
Section 5: Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

ACPE UAN: 0475-0000-16-024-L04-P. An application based activity.

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined the appropriate use of antimicrobials as "... the cost-effective use of antimicrobials which maximize clinical therapeutic effect while minimizing both drug-related toxicity and the development of antimicrobial resistance."

Worldwide there is increasing concern about antimicrobial resistance due to the inappropriate use of antimicrobials, which may lead to negative outcomes for patient care, both clinically and economically. Consequently, the WHO and the European Union are committed to tackling the threat of antimicrobial resistance through implementation of effective antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Antimicrobial stewardship requires a multi-professional approach and must involve a number of interventions to improve antimicrobial prescribing practice. The important role of pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship has been widely acknowledged. All pharmacists must play a "policing" and "gate-keeper" role when monitoring and auditing adherence to policies including hospital pharmacists irrespective of their areas of practice. Hospital pharmacists may also have the opportunity to develop a more specialist and advisory role to optimise antimicrobial therapy, optimise patient care, as well as being ideally placed to educate other healthcare professionals in this area.

While appropriate antimicrobial therapy is important in all pharmacy practice settings this workshop will focus on hospital pharmacy. The workshop will stimulate discussion based on the following question: What strategies may be implemented by hospital pharmacists to promote optimal use of antimicrobials?

This will be achieved through an interactive workshop with strong delegate involvement. Different strategies to optimize antimicrobial use will be discussed including drug formularies, antibiotic restriction and post-prescribing interventions. An in-depth knowledge of management of infection and antimicrobial therapy will not be necessary due to the focus of the workshop being the strategies to ensure appropriate care.

Teaching goal

• To familiarise participants with strategies that may be implemented by the hospital pharmacist to promote optimal use of antimicrobials.

Learning objectives

• to understand the importance of appropriate antimicrobial treatment and the implications associated with misuse of antimicrobials;
• to explore the different strategies which can be employed by hospital pharmacists to optimise antimicrobial therapy; 
• to consider ways of ensuring pharmaceutical care is delivered to patients receiving antimicrobials.