Assessment of the Plans to Optimize Antimicrobial Use in the Pediatric Population in Catalan Hospitals: The VINCat Pediatric PROA SHARP Survey

Abstract

In Spain, many programs have been introduced in recent years to optimize antimicrobial stewardship in pediatric care (known as pediatric PROA). However, information on the current situation of these programs is scarce. The present study assesses current antimicrobial use in pediatric care in the hospitals of Catalonia affiliated with the VINCat pediatric PROA group. Between December 2020 and January 2021, an electronic survey related to the design and use of PROA was administered to members of PROA teams in our hospital network. The survey was conducted at 26 hospitals. Twelve percent of the hospitals had pediatric PROA in operation, 42% were included in adult PROA, and 46% carried out pediatric PROA activities but not as part of an established program. At 81%, the pediatric PROA team included a pediatrician, in 58% a pharmacist, and in 54% a microbiologist. The main activities were monitoring the use of antimicrobials and bacterial resistance. Twenty-seven percent measured indicators regularly. The VINCat Pediatric PROA group’s hospitals have implemented measures for optimizing antimicrobial stewardship, but few have a pediatric PROA program in place. Specific measures and indicators must be defined, and the resources available should be increased. The development of pediatric PROA should be monitored in the coming years.

Five-Year Evaluation of the PROA-NEN Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in a Spanish Tertiary Hospital

“…This survey revealed that while most hospitals have implemented measures suggested by pediatric ASPs, many have not established their own dedicated program. It is crucial to provide these programs with more resources so that these hospitals can create tailored initiatives and define specific indicators for this age group [ 32 ].…”

Antibiotics in Dentistry: A Narrative Review of the Evidence beyond the Myth

“…The term "stewardship" refers to the careful and responsible use of something relied upon for one's health, such as natural resources [59]. To curb antimicrobial resistance, every physician must know how to use antibiotics by prescribing them appropriately and educating their patients and colleagues on the proper use of this basic but increasingly limited medical resource [158][159][160][161].…”

Implementation of a Multifaceted Program to Improve the Rational Use of Antibiotics in Children under 3 Years of Age in Primary Care

“…Programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics (PROAs) have been recently developed to prevent or reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance; to optimize the selection, dose, and duration of antibiotic treatments; and to reduced adverse effects [20]. However, these programs have been mostly implemented in adults and in the hospital setting, although some of them targeted outpatient pediatric populations attended in primary care [21][22][23].…”