The impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial stewardship implementation in United Arab Emirates hospitals: an exploration informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. [ESCP 2022 Slides]

Hashad, Nortan; Stewart, Derek; Perumal, Dhayaneethie; Abdulrazzaq, Najiba; Tonna, Antonella Pia

Abstract

The disruption of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASP) caused by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been recognised. This study used a theoretical, qualitative approach to understand the impact of COVID-19 on ASP implementation in hospitals. Semi-structured online interviews, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) were conducted with ASP team members and other practitioners involved in antimicrobial prescribing in United Arab Emirates (UAE) hospitals. Participants were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling with interviews video recorded, transcribed and independently analysed by two researchers based on identification of CFIR constructs within emerging themes. The study aimed to gain further understanding of ASP implementation in hospitals during the pandemic while also aiming to identify facilitators and barriers to ASP implementation. Thirty-one interviews were conducted across 11 hospitals. The following themes were identified; (1) increased complexity of ASP implementation and changes in prescribing culture influenced by COVID-19, (2) adaptations, networking and cosmopolitanism to enhance integration of COVID-19 management in ASP services and (3) adaptations and networking to support continuity of ASP implementation process. A disruption to pre-pandemic ASP activities was reported with complexity of COVID-19 overwhelming the healthcare system. ASP team members and services showed an ability to adapt and repurpose roles to respond to the pandemic. Interventions included developing national guidelines for treatment of COVID-19 patients and contributing to guideline management and monitoring. A gradual restoration of ASP activities was perceived. Technological adaptations and enhancements in networking were reported as positive impacts of the pandemic. Despite the initial disruption of ASP implementation due to the pandemic, successful adaptation and evolvement of ASP services reflects the high value and adaptability of ASP implementation in UAE hospitals.

Citation

HASHAD, N., STEWART, D., PERUMAL, D., ABDULRAZZAQ, N. and TONNA, A.P. 2022. The impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial stewardship implementation in United Arab Emirates hospitals-an exploration informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Presented at the 50th ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) symposium on clinical pharmacy, polypharmacy and ageing: highly individualized, interprofessional, person-centered care, 19-21 October 2022, Prague, Czech Republic.

• Presentation Conference Type: Lecture
• Conference Name: 50th ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) symposium on clinical pharmacy, polypharmacy and ageing: highly individualized, interprofessional, person-centered care
• Conference Location: Prague, Czech Republic
• Start Date: Oct 19, 2022
• End Date: Oct 21, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jan 18, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 18, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-022-01521-5
• Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship programmed (ASP); COVID-19; Implementation; Hospitals
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1919491
• Additional Information: Abstract published as:; HASHAD, N., STEWART, D., PERUMAL, D., RAZZAQ, N.A. and TONNA, A.P. 2022. The impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial stewardship implementation in United Arab Emirates hospitals-an exploration informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. International journal of clinical pharmacy [online], 44(6): conference abstracts of 50th ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy) symposium on clinical pharmacy, polypharmacy and ageing: highly individualized, interprofessional, person-centered care, 19-21 October 2022, Prague, Czech Republic, article OC-4.4, pages 1474. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-022-01521-5