Establishing core competencies for antimicrobial stewardship teams: a consensus development using the modified Delphi technique-an European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Antimicrobial Stewardship position paper

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify and develop a standard set of competencies needed for members of an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) team.

Methods: A panel of experts in AMS utilized a survey based on a modified Delphi technique to establish consensus on AMS competencies.

Results: The authors identified 88 competencies covering 15 domains with strong agreement by 58 international experts. The identified domains were: the objectives of AMS; management of infection; microbiology diagnostics; pharmacology of antimicrobial agents; general principles of antibiotic use; the structure and the position of AMS; antimicrobial stewardship interventions; AMS in special settings; surveillance and monitoring; behaviour change and communication; infection prevention and control; quality management and patient safety; information technology (IT) support; communication with patients and general public and governance/policy framework. The consensus-based list of competencies was ratified by the European Study Group for Antimicrobial Stewardship Executive Committee.

Conclusions: The identified competencies can be used as a tool in planning of AMS training and to develop and optimize AMS programmes worldwide.

Keywords: Antimicrobial prescription; Antimicrobial stewardship; Competencies; Delphi process; Healthcare professionals.