Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Approaches, Barriers, and Novel Strategies for Combating Surgical Site Infections

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most critical types of infections encountered in hospital settings, occurring before, during, or after surgical procedures. Antimicrobial resistance associated with these infections is highly prevalent in healthcare environments, posing a significant challenge to patient safety and clinical outcomes. Therefore, the implementation and establishment of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are fundamentally important to combat this resistance. These programs provide a structured approach to optimizing antibiotic prescribing, reducing the costs associated with antimicrobial use, and minimizing the development of microbial resistance. However, several barriers and challenges may hinder the effective establishment of these programs. Consequently, innovative strategies must be developed and implemented to overcome these obstacles and enhance the quality and effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospitals. This review aims to provide an overview of the key criteria for establishing antimicrobial stewardship programs to combat surgical site infections and their resistance patterns. It also highlights novel approaches to reducing the challenges faced by healthcare professionals during the implementation of these programs.