Surveillance of antibiotic consumption is a crucial element in antibiotic stewardship, as it helps to identify specific fields for further action.

Antimicrobial consumption monitoring can either be set up locally or be done using the ANRESIS platform for monitoring antibiotic consumption. We strongly recommend using ANRESIS because it provides the additional benefit of a benchmark against other hospitals of similar size.

(1) Ensure the hospital joins the ANRESIS platform for monitoring your local antimicrobial consumption

ANRESIS (Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance) has collected antibiotic consumption data from hospitals since 2006. Hospitals should submit antimicrobial consumption data on the platform annually. Participating hospitals get individual feedback and benchmark reports based on their data compared to other hospitals.

If the hospital considers to set up its own local antimicrobial consumption monitoring:

• base consumption monitoring on aggregated consumption data from the local electronic patient record system (if not available, switch to pharmacy delivery data),
• aggregate antibiotic consumption per antimicrobial group and unit,
• report as DDD (daily defined doses) and DOT (days of treatment) per 100 bed days and stratify by WHO AWaRe classification of  antibiotics.

(2) Ensure feedback on local antimicrobial consumption data is provided and critically discussed with prescribers

A process must be in place for antimicrobial consumption data to be discussed among the relevant groups (e.g., clinical department leads and within the governance structure). Encourage the discussion of results in meetings with prescribers, especially if consumption increases.

(3) Metrics

Monitoring trends in antimicrobial consumption and audit results provide information on whether prescribing has improved. Site access statistics can give hints as to whether monitoring data are used.
If there is no visible effect, ensure that local practice and the further development of ASP are discussed in relevant committees.

More tools for the local implementation of antibiotic consumption monitoring and reporting are being prepared and will be offered by 2026.