Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs Improve Outcomes, Research Finds

Antimicrobial stewardship programs are associated with reductions in antimicrobial use metrics.

April 30, 2026

Key Highlights

Increased ASP resources are linked to improved antimicrobial use and cost reductions in hospitals.
Most studies show a decrease in antimicrobial use metrics following resource enhancements.
Higher staffing levels in ASPs contribute to lower antimicrobial resistance and infection rates.
Resource limitations and staffing shortages are common barriers to effective ASP implementation.
Expanding ASP resources can lead to better clinical and microbiologic outcomes, supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

69f3811c33e5ac2ef2e8fcc2 Antimicrobial Resistance

A new report in JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance suggested that “increased resources for antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are associated with improved antimicrobial use and costs.” CIDRAP has the news.

Researchers evaluated 32 studies examining ASP resourcing and outcomes. Antibiotic use was the most studied outcome across the studies, and the researchers grouped the findings into three categories: “studies comparing different staffing coverage models, studies comparing zero versus some staffing, and studies comparing more staffing with less staffing.”

There is evidence that “antimicrobial stewardship strategies are associated with lower rates of antimicrobial resistance and C. difficile infections, [but] ASP staffing levels range widely across hospitals, and lack of staffing and resources are often cited as barriers to advancing ASP goals.”

Among the 21 studies that assessed antimicrobial use after increasing ASP resources, “17 (81%) reported a reduction in at least one antimicrobial use metric. Increased ASP resourcing was also associated with improved process outcomes in eight of nine (89%) studies, reduced costs in four of four (100%) studies, and improved clinical or microbiologic outcomes in three of seven (43%) studies.”