Effects of a Primary Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains across a Region of Catalunya (Spain) over 5 Years

• Published in: Antibiotics (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 92
• Main Authors: Jover-Sáenz, Alfredo, Ramírez-Hidalgo, María, Bellés Bellés, Alba, Ribes Murillo, Esther, Batlle Bosch, Meritxell, Ribé Miró, Anna, Mari López, Alba, Cayado Cabanillas, José, Piqué Palacín, Neus, Garrido-Calvo, Sònia, Ortiz Valls, Mireia, Gracia Vilas, María Isabel, Gros Navés, Laura, Javierre Caudevilla, María Jesús, Montull Navarro, Lidia, Bañeres Argiles, Cecilia, Vaqué Castilla, Pilar, Ichart Tomás, José Javier, Saura Codina, Mireia, Andreu Mayor, Ester, Martorell Solé, Roser, Vena Martínez, Ana, Albalad Samper, José Manuel, Cano Marrón, Susana, Soler Elcacho, Cristina, Rodríguez Garrocho, Andrés, Terrer Manrique, Gemma, Solé Curcó, Antoni, Escuin, David de la Rica, Estadella Servalls, María José, Figueres Farreny, Ana M, Montaña Esteban, Luís Miguel, Sanz Borrell, Lidia, Morales Valle, Arancha, Pallerola Planes, Mercè, Hamadi, Aly, Pujol Aymerich, Francesc, Toribio Redondo, Francisca, Urgelés Castillón, María Cruz, Valgañon Palacios, Juan, Olivart Parejo, Marc, Torres-Puig-Gros, Joan, The P-Ilehrda Group, On Behalf Of Clinical Microbiology And Antibiotic Resistance Group-IRBLleida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; antimicrobial stewardship; community-onset; Drug resistance; epidemiology; Hospitals; Infectious diseases; Methicillin; Microorganisms; MRSA; Multidrug resistant organisms; multidrug-resistant microorganisms; Pathogens; Pediatrics; Primary care; Reduction; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus infections; Strains (organisms); use antimicrobials; Spain; use antimicrobials; epidemiology; antimicrobial stewardship; community-onset; multidrug-resistant microorganisms; MRSA
• ISSN: 2079-6382; 2079-6382
• DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010092

Primary care antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) interventions can reduce the over-prescription of unnecessary antibiotics, but the impact on the reduction in bacterial resistance is less known, and there is a lack of available data. We implemented a prolonged educational counseling ASP in a large regional outpatient setting to assess its feasibility and effectiveness. Over a 5-year post-implementation period, which was compared to a pre-intervention period, a significant reduction in antibiotic prescriptions occurred, particularly those associated with greater harmful effects and resistance selection. There was also a decrease in methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains and in their co-resistance to other antibiotics, particularly those with an ecological impact.