Key features of hospitals antibiotic stewardship software solutions needed for successfully optimizing patient outcomes while fighting antibiotic resistance on a global scale – a shared experience

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance threatens the very core of modern medicine and currently costs the EU more than 11.7 billion euro per year. In 2050 it is projected that 10 million people will die from infections with the so called “superbugs”. In the past few decades, no entirely new antibiotic groups are being discovered which makes of crucial importance to preserve the effectiveness of the antibiotics we have today for future generations. Antimicrobial stewardship programs worldwide aim to optimize the use of antimicrobials to improve effectiveness, safety and economic feasibility of antibiotics while fighting antibiotic resistance on a local and global scale. This article shares the experience of building a software solution from scratch for digitalisation of local antibiotic stewardship policies – what are the key features needed and the steps required for successful implementation of a digital local antibiotic stewardship policy and who are the stakeholders in a project of this nature.