Economic Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Implementation in Three High-Complexity Hospitals in Colombia

Abstract

Methods. We conducted a quasi-experimental study between January 2007 and December 2014 in three high-complexity hospitals in two Colombian cities (Cali and Barranquilla). The study variables were evaluated in two periods: two years before and two years after the implementation of the AMS. The structure and development of the AMS program was determined for each hospital and initiated at different times within the study period. A modified index of AMS (ICATB1) which have maximum score of 20, was used. Micro-costing techniques were used to determine the consumption of hospital resources. Cost assignment was performed based on the reference costs of 2014. Antibiotic use was estimated based on the defined daily doses (DDD). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.