The impact of antimicrobial stewardship on reserve antibiotic use and procuring cost

Background: Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) is an intervention designed to optimise the appropriate use of antibiotics is expected to reduce selective pressure on microbes, control antimicrobial resistance, improve patient clinical outcomes, and cost reduction. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of antimicrobial stewardship on "reserve" antibiotics use and procuring cost of antibiotics in hospitals. Method: The study was conducted at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. A retrospective observational design study to analyse trends of "reserve" antibiotics use and procuring cost before AMS implementation (January 2018-December 2019) and after AMS implementation (January 2020-December 2021). Results: The total meropenem consumption before AMS intervention in January 2018-December 2019 was 9950 DDD, and after AMS intervention in January 2020-December 2021 was 4639 DDD, showing a decrease of 53 %. Procuring Meropenem cost in 2018-2019 was Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) 1.490 billion and IDR 309 million between 2020 to 2021. Cost reduction positively impacts saving procurement costs in hospitals of IDR 1.18 billion (79%). Conclusion: The impact antimicrobial stewardship programs can reduce reserve antibiotic use with meropenem indicator and have a sustainable economic impact, saving the cost of procuring antibiotics in hospitals.