Evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship (AS) for appropriate use of antimicrobial agents.

: We implemented an antimicrobial stewardship (AS) program whereby pharmacists sought appropriate use of antimicrobial agents in January 2012. At that time, we targeted anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) agents and carbapenems; however, in January 2014, we added tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC). We evaluated outcomes using multilateral analyses. The average one-day dosage of carbapenems increased; however, the duration of administration and number of recipient patients decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Moreover, the percentage of patients receiving meropenem (MEPM), for whom the time above minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 40% or higher increased (P < 0.01). In contrast, patient utilization of TAZ/PIPC increased significantly after targeting of carbapenems as specific antibacterial agents. However, after TAZ/PIPC was targeted as a specific antibacterial agent, the number of TAZ/PIPC administrations decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The duration of hospitalization and mortality rate in patients receiving specific antibacterial agents significantly decreased after implementation of the AS program (P < 0.01). In conclusion, pharmacist's interventions to provide AS and patient follow-up reduced improper use and promoted proper administration of antibacterial agents. Furthermore, AS was effective in improving patient prognoses and suppressing drug-resistant strains, as well as promoting effective treatment.