945. Development of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Central and South America


 
 
 There is a need to assess current development of hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in Latin America.
 
 
 
 Cross-sectional evaluation of ASPs using a standardized and previously validated self-assessment tool derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship (AS). The assessment was deployed to 40 hospitals in Panama, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina in 3/2022 through a regional research network. The assessment included 94 questions, with each question including a graded response (meets criteria, partially meets criteria, does not meet criteria, and in some, not applicable).
 
 
 
 22 public and 16 private hospitals completed the assessment (95% response rate), 10% and 25% of which were small hospitals (< 110 beds), respectively. 82% were academic, and all have an Infection Prevention and Control program/committee. >70% of ASPs have a physician and pharmacist involved, although 65% reported no salary support for AS activities. Only 13% and 29% of AS pharmacists and physicians, respectively, met recommended full-time equivalent/bed ratios; and 76% lacked information and technology (IT) support. 50% indicated the AS committee did not meet regularly, and another 50% reported not including non-AS physicians in the committee. Most hospitals have implemented prior-authorization and post-prescription review and feedback, with much fewer reporting a process to alert of duplicate therapy and use of auto-stops. 89% reported regular access to new antibiotics. While most hospitals monitor antibiotic consumption, few evaluate trends and/or appropriateness of use. Treatment guidelines for most common infections were missing in up to 50% of hospitals, especially in public hospitals. Most respondents indicated their hospitals promote teamwork, and in the vast majority, recommendations from AS are valued. Stratification of results by private and public hospitals in Table. Table:Results of a self-assessment of antimicrobial stewardship activities at the facility level in 38 hospitals in Latin America.
 
 
 
 We found several opportunities for improvement, which differed between private and public hospitals. Common barriers to both settings include access to IT support; better pharmacist and physician resource allocation, education, and monitoring of process and outcomes measures.
 
 
 
 Sara E. Cosgrove, MD, Basilea: Member of Infection Adjudication Committee.
