Researchers at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP), in collaboration with researchers at the Université de Lorraine, the Qatar Foundation, and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), developed the Checklist for Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programming (CHASP). CHASP was based on an expert panel's review of published scientific research and existing checklists including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs, and was published in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection.
Antimicrobial resistance is rising in healthcare facilities. A primary driver of antimicrobial resistance is antimicrobial use in these settings. There has been increasing interest in developing and implementing hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) to reduce and improve antibiotic use and to slow the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogens. Checklists outlining core elements of ASPs are a practical way for healthcare providers to assess current clinical practices and ensure best antibiotic use practices are followed. Previous ASP checklists have successfully led to optimized antibiotic use and improved healthcare; however, most ASP checklists have been geared towards implementation in high-income countries such as those in North America, Europe, and Australia.
In developing CHASP, researchers aimed to leverage a baseline set of program elements and interventions that would be feasible to adopt globally in all healthcare facilities including those in low- and middle-income countries.
The seven core components of CHASP address:
Senior hospital management and leadership
Accountability and responsibility
Access to infection management professionals
Education and practical training
Continuous monitoring and surveillance of stewardship activities
Reporting and sharing of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial monitoring data
Actions aimed at responsible antimicrobial use
The checklist was tested in 12 Leading Health Systems Network hospitals across nine countries including low-income countries. Overall, participating institutions had between 11 and 29 of the 29 checklist items present. Four checklist items were present in all participating institutions and included: a multidisciplinary structure for ASP, an identified ASP leader, access to trained infection management professionals, and monitoring of the quantity of antimicrobials prescribed.
Only one institution, in India, had all checklist components. The most commonly missed checklist items were staffing standards, regular training for ASP staff, and adequate information technology (IT) services. Barriers to CHASP implementation and success included lack of expertise, limited financial resources, and insufficient collaboration.
The checklist is published in full in a report titled, "Global Core Standards For Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: International Perspectives and Future Directions" and is available online here. A paper titled, "Developing core elements and checklist items for global hospital antimicrobial stewardship programmes: a consensus approach," outlines the checklist development process and was published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection and is available online HERE.
Source: Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.