What is the objective of using guidelines in an antimicrobial stewardship program?

The objective of using guidelines in an antimicrobial stewardship program is to provide evidence-based recommendations for treatment. This approach ensures that healthcare providers have access to the best available evidence regarding the selection and use of antimicrobials. By relying on scientifically backed data, guidelines help inform clinicians on the most effective, safe, and judicious use of antibiotics for various infections.

These recommendations aim to optimize patient outcomes, reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance, and minimize potential adverse effects. Guidelines facilitate informed decision-making while taking into consideration local resistance patterns, patient demographics, and specific clinical scenarios. This practice ultimately leads to improved healthcare quality and safety, making it essential in an effective antimicrobial stewardship program.

While standardizing antibiotic selection, reducing patient numbers, or encouraging expensive antibiotic purchases may seem relevant in certain contexts, they do not align with the primary goal of improving patient care through evidence-based practices.