Culture of Cultures: A Small Step Towards Augmenting Diagnostic Stewardship.

ABSTRACT

Laboratories with a well-established diagnostic stewardship program for culture and the antimicrobial susceptibility test (C-AST) play a key role in guiding clinicians to institute specific targeted therapy. Blood culture is one of the most critical investigations performed at a microbiology laboratory. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop a robust diagnostic stewardship model for the blood culture laboratory division. Aiming at this hypothesis, this hospital-based clinical audit carried out within the Department of General Medicine, centered on the critical domain of antimicrobial stewardship (AMSP). The audit's primary objective was to systematically evaluate prevailing practices and pinpoint areas necessitating refinement in the administration of antimicrobial agents. Employing a meticulous approach involving exhaustive data scrutiny and feedback mechanisms, the audit unearthed strategic opportunities to optimize prescription patterns, curtail unwarranted antimicrobial utilization, and fortify adherence to established guidelines. The subsequent execution of targeted interventions, encompassing educational initiatives and routine performance feedback, culminated in a noteworthy enhancement of antimicrobial prescribing practices. These outcomes unequivocally underscore the efficacy of the audit in cultivating a milieu of judicious antimicrobial utilization, thereby augmenting patient care and mitigating antibiotic resistance within the department.