1891. Assessing the Needs for Antimicrobial Stewardship Education and Acceptance Across a Spectrum of Prescribers, Nurses and Pharmacists at a Large Academic Medical Center

Regulatory bodies and quality groups have adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Core Elements for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) as a measure for accreditation and scoring healthcare institutions across the United States. Multiple elements are driven by educating and integrating staff across the provider network. The ideal method of providing education and addressing gaps is unknown. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the familiarity of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Prescribers regarding local ASP activities and services, as well as perceptions regarding patient care and value. Secondary objectives were to determine what educational tools are currently utilized and the desired method for future education. Three distinct surveys were written for each provider type for Nurses, Pharmacists and Prescribers across ambulatory and inpatient sites. Each contained basic demographic data such as years in practice and primary practice site. Questions were developed to assess familiarity, perceived value, and overall satisfaction with the ASP. Additional items included the use of online ASP resources and desire for more education. The survey was delivered electronically to 5,091 providers. In total, 443 completed the survey, 267 Nurses, 160 Prescribers, and 16 Pharmacists. A majority of Nurses (67%) and Pharmacists (56%) worked on inpatient units. Prescribers were 48% from Medicine and 16% Hospitalists. Familiarity with the ASP was lowest among Nursing staff, 53% unaware, and highest among prescribers (55% very familiar, 8% not familiar) and pharmacists (56% very familiar and none unfamiliar) as seen in Figures 1 through 3. ASP-assisted harm prevention was identified by 43% and therapy optimization by 44%. Of the highly familiar prescribers and pharmacists, 90% rated ASP as a moderate to high value service. More than 80% of all disciplines expressed the desire for more education, primarily as didactic lectures (65%), intranet portal training (37%), or emails (36%). Nursing staff at our institution have the greatest need for orientation with the ASP. The ASP is highly valued across prescribers and pharmacists, but all disciplines desire further education. Resource allocation toward education is an important need. C. McCoy, Merck Inc.: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee. Allergan: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee.