Effects of an automatic discontinuation of antibiotics policy: A novel approach to antimicrobial stewardship

Purpose. A novel automatic discontinuation policy implemented within an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) is described, and results of an evaluation of the policy's effects on antibiotic usage are reported. Methods. A retrospective, before-and-after study was conducted at an 800-bed, tertiary care, academic teaching hospital to evaluate selected antibiotic usage outcomes in both intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU adult patients targeted for ASP interventions before and after implementation of an automatic discontinuation of antibiotics policy (ADAP) authorizing the ASP team to automatically halt antibiotic therapy in cases involving inappropriate duplicate antimicrobial coverage or excess duration of therapy. The primary outcome was total days of antibiotic therapy. Secondary outcomes included excess days of therapy and rates of 30-day readmission, Clostridioides difficile infection, and multidrug-resistant infection. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in group demographics or clinical characteristics. The most common indication for antibiotics was hospital-acquired pneumonia, and the most common reason for ASP intervention was excess duration of therapy. The mean total number of antibiotic days per patient was reduced from 7.6 days in the preADAP group to 6.6 days in the post-ADAP group (p < 0.05). The mean number of excess days of antibiotics was similarly reduced, from 2.3 days to 1.5 days, after implementation of the ADAP (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Adoption of an ADAP-a more active approach to ASP interventions-was effective in reducing overall antibiotic usage and improving the efficiency of the ASP.