Essential human resources for antimicrobial stewardship teams in Japan: Estimates from a nationwide survey conducted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy

J Infect Chemother. 2019 Sep;25(9):653-656. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2019.05.012. Epub 2019 Jun 7.

Abstract

Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) with multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship teams (ASTs) is critical for appropriate antimicrobial use at healthcare facilities. Although the Japanese medical reimbursement system was revised to allow fees for ASP implementation, several concerns remain, including understaffing and enforcement of the recommendations on ASTs and ASPs in practice. Furthermore, there are no recommendations on full-time equivalents (FTEs) of the core members in ASTs in Japan. This committee report presents our recommendations on ASTs based on an analysis of the nationwide survey on implemented ASPs and staff FTEs at 1358 healthcare facilities conducted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy. Our report provides a directive for structural and financial support of ASTs and should aid in planning for the enhancement of AST practices and the organization of new ASTs.

Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship; Full-time equivalent; Human resource; Medical fee.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship / organization & administration*
  • Health Facilities
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Workforce / organization & administration

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents