(1) Have a local set of evidence-based and relevant guidelines

The guidelines focus on empiric antimicrobial treatment and surgical perioperative prophylaxis. They consider local or regional antimicrobial susceptibility data and provide options for patients with penicillin allergy.

Different sources can be used as a basis for local guidelines:

• The Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases provides online guidelines for general practitioners and other specialists in the outpatient setting.
• Larger hospitals offer access to their guidelines (see list of exemplary local guidelines in Switzerland).
• Mobile apps supporting the decision-making process regarding the therapy (e.g., Firstline, Sanford and others).
• Swissnoso provides guidelines for perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis.

(2) Ensure local guidelines are user-friendly and used

Guidelines are available to prescribers at the point of care and guide them through the decision-making process. Prescribers use the guidelines. Guidelines are ideally integrated into the local IT system.

If you design local antimicrobial treatment guidelines, focus on usability. Use a readily available format like a web application. Consider structuring them to allow for later integration into electronic patient record applications / your local hospital IT system.

(3) Ensure guidelines are up-to-date

A process to regularly review and update local guidelines (recommended a review interval of 3 to 5 years) is implemented.

(4) Harmonize guidelines

Take into accountConsider national recommendations, local trends in drug resistance, availability of antimicrobials, etc.