Global Contribution of Pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship During COVID-19 in Hospitals

• At: PPR SIG 2021 (2021)
• Type: Digital
• By: ELSHENAWY, Rasha Abdelsalam (American Board - AQ (Infectious Disease) | PhD Candidate in Hertfordshire University | Director of FADIC Antimicrobial Stewardship School | Quality Improvement Advisor | Commonwealth Pharmacist Association | Watford General Hospital|UK, United Kingdom)
• Co-author(s): Abdelsalam Elshenawy, R.,1 Umaru, N.,1 Aslanpour, Z.1
  
• Abstract:

  Introduction

  Introduction: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a set of actions to promote the effective use of the antimicrobials1. The threat of antimicrobial resistance was made prominent during the on-going COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Around the world, pharmacists are known as medication experts and their AMS contribution became more apparent during the pandemic.

  Objectives

  Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the global role of pharmacists in the implementation of AMS in hospitals in various high and low-middle income countries (HICs and LMICs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Methods

  Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on the role of pharmacists in AMS implementation in acute settings from 2007 to 2021 using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Relevant search words from different data bases were used. The pharmacists’ roles were categorised according to the US Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and Public Health England AMS toolkit.

  Results

  Results: Sixteen studies were included with different AMS strategies. Pharmacists’ roles in AMS were found in 12 out of 16 studies. Studies mentioned the pharmacists’ AMS roles during the non-pandemic periods (LMICs – Greece and Jordan, HICs – US, Japan, Singapore and Netherlands). Studies from HICs only mentioned the pharmacists’ role during COVID-19 pandemics (US, UK and Spain). During the COVID-19, the pharmacists have the champion role in applying the AMS in 20% of studies. Each pharmacist’s roles in AMS multidisciplinary team, education and clinical practice guidelines found in 25% of the included studies. While their roles in each of the formulary restriction, prospective audit with feedback, Streamlining/ timely de-escalation of therapy and antibiotic review were found in only 17%.

  Conclusion

  Conclusion: Worldwide, pharmacists have an essential role in AMS during COVID-19 in acute-care settings. Future research is recommended to include more countries, as this study is limited to only eight countries presented in this systematic literature review.