Antimicrobial stewardship barriers and goals in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplantation: A survey of antimicrobial stewardship practitioners

Joshua Wolf, Yilun Sun, Li Tang, Jason G. Newland, Jeffrey S. Gerber, Christie J. Van Dyke, Saul R. Hymes, Diana Yu, Delia C. Carias, Penelope A. Bryant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Children undergoing cancer therapy or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are at high risk of serious infection and receive frequent, prolonged courses of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents.1,2 Although some antimicrobial exposure is appropriate, usage in many cases is inconsistent with evidencebased guidelines and results in significant toxicity, resistance, antibiotic-associated infections, and financial cost.3-6 Many institutions have attempted to optimize antimicrobial prescribing by implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs).7,8 However, little is known about the main antimicrobial stewardship goals, current interventions, or barriers to those interventions in this group. Proposed barriers include insufficient time-allocation or expertise; patient complexity; and perceptions or attitudes of oncology physicians1,2,9 but these have not been examined in pediatric oncology. We addressed this knowledge gap by conducting a survey assessing the goals and perceived barriers for ASP clinicians practicing in pediatric hematology and oncology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)343-347
Number of pages5
JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Volume37
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 7 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Antimicrobial stewardship barriers and goals in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplantation: A survey of antimicrobial stewardship practitioners'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this