Empowering hospital pharmacists to integrate antimicrobial stewardship into their daily practice

Inappropriate antimicrobial use, including incorrect choice, dose, route and/or duration can lead to adverse outcomes and selection of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. Infections with these microorganisms are a serious problem for patients and hospitals because they are associated with higher rates of death and longer hospital stays. This thesis focuses on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), a strategy to improve antimicrobial use. The findings contribute to the understanding of hospital pharmacists’ educational needs in AMS and education and training programs to empower pharmacists to integrate AMS into their daily practice to ensure safe and appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials.