Principles and practices of antimicrobial stewardship programs in Korea

• Published in: The Korean journal of internal medicine Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 373 - 382
• Main Authors: Kwon, Ki Tae, Kim, Shin-Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Association of Internal Medicine 01.05.2024; The Korean Association of Internal Medicine; 대한내과학회
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; antimicrobial stewardship; Antimicrobial Stewardship - organization & administration; core elements of asp; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; microbial drug resistance; One Health; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - standards; Republic of Korea; Review; strategies of asps; 내과학; Republic of Korea; Microbial drug resistance; One health; Antimicrobial stewardship; Strategies of ASPs; Core elements of ASP
• ISSN: 1226-3303; 2005-6648; 2005-6648
• DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2023.482

This review addresses the escalating challenge posed by antibiotic resistance, highlighting its profound impact on global public health, including increased mortality rates and healthcare expenditures. The review focuses on the need to adopt the One Health approach to effectively manage antibiotic usage across human, animal, and environmental domains. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are considered as comprehensive strategies that encompass both core and supplementary initiatives aimed at enhancing prudent antibiotic use. The 2021 "Guidelines on Implementing ASP in Korea" introduced such strategies, with a strong emphasis on fostering multidisciplinary and collaborative efforts. Furthermore, the "Core Elements for Implementing ASPs in Korean General Hospitals," established in 2022, provide a structured framework for ASPs, delineating leadership responsibilities, the composition of interdisciplinary ASP teams, a range of interventions, and continuous monitoring and reporting mechanisms. In addition, this review examines patient-centric campaigns such as "Speak Up, Get Smart" and emphasizes the pivotal role of a multidisciplinary approach and international cooperation in addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with antibiotic resistance.