What is one outcome of effective antimicrobial stewardship?

Effective antimicrobial stewardship is designed to optimize the treatment of infections while minimizing negative consequences such as the development of resistance, adverse effects, and unnecessary costs. One significant outcome of implementing an effective antimicrobial stewardship program is the reduction in healthcare costs. This occurs for several reasons:

1. Decreased Use of Unnecessary Antibiotics: Stewardship programs promote appropriate prescribing practices, leading to a decrease in the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. This not only helps in combating antibiotic resistance but also lowers the overall expenditure associated with unnecessary treatments.

2. Shorter Hospital Stays: By ensuring that the right antibiotic is used at the right time, patients often experience quicker recoveries. This can lead to reduced lengths of hospital stays, which in turn lowers the costs associated with prolonged healthcare interventions.

3. Less Complication from Drug Reactions: Proper stewardship can reduce the incidence of adverse drug reactions that might require additional medical interventions, which further contributes to cost savings.

While other choices may seem relevant, they do not accurately reflect the primary benefits associated with effective antimicrobial stewardship. For example, increased rates of antibiotic resistance and lower patient satisfaction indicate the negative outcomes of poor antimicrobial use, while better hygiene practices, although important, are not the direct result of stewardship