ID10 - Use of an Online Questionnaire to Monitor the Success of a Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

Abstract: Background: A One Health approach is being used to develop antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in companion animal medicine. Success of these ASPs should be monitored using a variety of methods.

Hypothesis/Objectives: Objectives were to assess changes in veterinarian and veterinary student attitudes and self-reported practices one year after the introduction of an ASP at a major tertiary care center.

Animals: None.

Methods: This was a prospective, survey-based study. Data were collected via an online questionnaire at baseline (August 2021) and one year after implementation of a hospital ASP (September 2022). A mix of descriptive and analytic statistics were used.

Results: A total of 78 complete responses were received prior to the ASP, and 51 responses at one year. No significant changes in attitudes or self-reported prescribing habits were noted, although the majority of participants (>80%) reported that stewardship was important to them and expressed a desire to improve their prescription habits at both timepoints. Successful aspects of the ASP included pre-made packs for use in acute diarrhea, with 88% of participants finding them very or somewhat useful. Additionally, hospital specific prescription guidelines and mandatory reporting of indication on antimicrobial prescriptions were viewed as useful by 82% and 76% of participants, respectively.

Conclusions and clinical importance: Interest in antimicrobial stewardship was high at this hospital, but self-reported habits had not significantly changed one year after an ASP was introduced. Practical efforts to aid judicious prescription were viewed as most beneficial and should be emphasized in future stewardship efforts.