Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in Surgical Hospitals
Preventing Resistance & Improving Patient Safety
At Aayush Multispeciality Hospital, Thane – By Dr. Ankur Bhanushali
What Is Antibiotic Stewardship?
Antibiotic stewardship is a structured hospital program that ensures antibiotics are:
✔ Used only when necessary
✔ Given at the right dose
✔ For the correct duration
Its goal is to prevent antibiotic resistance while protecting surgical patients.
Why Antibiotic Stewardship Is Critical in Surgery
Overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to:
❌ Drug-resistant infections
❌ Delayed wound healing
❌ Increased hospital stay
❌ Higher treatment costs
Responsible use improves outcomes.
Common Surgical Situations Requiring Stewardship
✔ Pre-operative prophylaxis
✔ Post-operative infection prevention
✔ Treatment of surgical site infections
✔ ICU & emergency surgeries
Not all surgeries need prolonged antibiotics.
Timing of Antibiotic Prophylaxis
✔ Given within 60 minutes before incision
✔ Avoided unnecessarily after surgery
✔ Single-dose preferred where possible
Correct timing is more important than duration.
Choosing the Right Antibiotic
Selection depends on:
✔ Type of surgery
✔ Expected bacteria
✔ Patient allergy history
✔ Local resistance patterns
Broad-spectrum drugs are not always better.
Duration Control & Stop Orders
✔ Automatic stop after 24–48 hours
✔ Daily review of necessity
✔ De-escalation based on culture reports
Shorter courses reduce complications.
Role of Culture & Sensitivity Testing
✔ Identifies exact organism
✔ Prevents blind antibiotic use
✔ Allows targeted treatment
Evidence-based therapy saves lives.
Preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
Stewardship works alongside:
✔ Sterile OT protocols
✔ Proper skin preparation
✔ Glycemic control
✔ Good post-op wound care
Antibiotics alone cannot prevent SSI.
Multidisciplinary Team Involvement
✔ Surgeons
✔ Microbiologists
✔ Infection control nurses
✔ Pharmacists
Team-based approach ensures compliance.
Monitoring & Audit of Antibiotic Use
✔ Prescription review
✔ Resistance tracking
✔ Feedback to surgeons
✔ Policy updates
Audit strengthens stewardship.
Patient Education & Awareness
✔ Avoid self-medication
✔ Complete prescribed course
✔ Report side effects early
Patients are partners in safety.
Antibiotic Stewardship at Aayush Multispeciality Hospital
✔ Protocol-driven antibiotic usage
✔ Regular infection audits
✔ Culture-guided therapy
✔ Patient-specific antibiotic planning
Safety before routine practice.
Why Dr. Ankur Bhanushali Emphasizes Stewardship
✔ Prevents post-op complications
✔ Reduces hospital stay
✔ Protects future antibiotic effectiveness
✔ Ethical surgical care
Good surgery includes responsible medication use.
Aayush Multispeciality Hospital – Full Address
📍 1st Floor, Marigold Apartment, Almeda Road, Panch Pakhdi, Thane West – 400602, Maharashtra, India
📞 +91 86910 33033
🌐 https://drankurbhanushali.com
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Msc7YZqVkV9mQMQ7
Dr. Ankur Surgical Clinic – Full Address
📍 Shop No 4, Laxmi Krupa Building, Edulji Road, Charai, Thane West – 400602, Maharashtra, India
📞 +91 86910 33066
🌐 https://bestsurgeoninthane.com
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/XmmGNbgFyhGcqfvV6
