Optimizing research methods used for the evaluation of antimicrobial stewardship programs

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are an increasingly common intervention for optimizing antimicrobial therapy in healthcare settings. These programs aim to improve patient care and limit the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms by supporting prudent antimicrobial use. However, pressure from the current reimbursement climate necessitates that ASPs operate as cost-cutting programs rather than focus on patient outcomes. This has forced the research that is evaluating ASP interventions to concentrate heavily on economic outcomes. As the science of antimicrobial stewardship advances, it is essential that well-conducted evaluations, focused on patient and microbial outcomes, serve as the evidence base that directs optimal ASP intervention design and implementation. In this review, we provide guidance and recommendations for the design of studies to evaluate the impact of ASP interventions on patient and microbial outcomes.