Barriers to implementing antimicrobial stewardship programmes in three Saudi hospitals: Evidence from a qualitative study
Abstract
This study explored antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) team members' perspectives regarding factors influencing the adoption and implementation of these programmes in Saudi hospitals. This was a qualitative study based on face-to-face semistructured interviews with healthcare professionals involved in ASPs and activities across three Ministry of Health (MoH) hospitals in Saudi Arabia (n = 18). Interviews were also conducted with two representatives of a General Directorate of Health Affairs in a Saudi region and two representatives of the Saudi MoH (n = 4) between January-February 2017. Despite the existence of a national strategy to implement ASPs in Saudi MoH hospitals, their adoption and implementation remains low. Hospitals have their own antimicrobial stewardship policies, but adherence to these is poor. ASP team members highlight that lack of enforcement of policies and guidelines from the MoH and hospital administration is a significant barrier to ASP adoption and implementation. Other barriers include disintegration of teams, poor communication, lack of recruitment/shortage of ASP team members, lack of education and training, and lack of health information technology (IT). Physicians' fears and concerns in relati...Continue Reading
References
Effectiveness of education and an antibiotic-control program in a tertiary care hospital in Thailand
Understanding physician antibiotic prescribing behaviour: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Use of electronic health records and clinical decision support systems for antimicrobial stewardship
Citations
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Implementation in a Saudi Medical City: An Exploratory Case Study.
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Antimicrobial Resistance (ASM)
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to the continued successful use of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to the continued successful use of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of bacterial infections.