Antimicrobial stewardship – call for project proposals

10.07.2024 - The StAR-3 project on Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) aims to offer a comprehensive handbook to support the implementation of ASPs in hospitals. The first edition of the ASP handbook was recently published. Infectiologists, experts in infection prevention and control, pharmacists, microbiologists, and other healthcare professionals are now invited to suggest additional implementation aids to supplement the handbook.

It is the pleasure of Swissnoso and the six partner organizations SSI, SSHH, GSASA, SSM, ANRESIS, FMH, and the associated partner PIGS* to announce a call for project proposals (PDF). Funding will be provided for projects to develop aids that facilitate the implementation of ASP in hospitals, in particular aids for education and training in the use of antimicrobial agents and for the auditing of prescriptions. These implementation aids will be published in the handbook in 2026.

The Star-3 consortium** invites infectiologists, experts in infection prevention and control, pharmacists, microbiologists, and other healthcare professionals to submit project proposals.

Moreover, the StAR-3 consortium is delighted to announce that the first edition of the ASP handbook (PDF) is available in English as a PDF document. The German and French versions will be published soon here. While this first edition provides a basic set of implementation aids, the second edition will offer a broad range of implementation aids.

The StAR-3 consortium recommends that hospitals start implementing an ASP. ASPs increase the effectiveness of treating infections, lower the risk of adverse effects, and slow the emergence of resistant microorganisms. ASPs were shown to save lives and to be cost-effective: investments in local antimicrobial stewardship pay off [Source: OECD. Stemming the Superbug Tide: just a few dollars more. 2018. oe.cd/amr-2018]. Using the ASP handbook helps save staff hours and costs while implementing antimicrobial stewardship activities.

*

• SSI - Société Suisse d'Infectiologie
• SSHH - Société Suisse d’Hygiène Hospitalière
• GSASA - Association suisse des pharmaciens de l’administration et des hôpitaux
• SSM - Swiss Society for Microbiology
• ANRESIS - Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance
• FMH - Association professionnelle des médecins Suisse
• PIGS - Pediatric Infectious Disease Group of Switzerland

**
«StAR-3 project: Implementing ASP in Swiss Hospitals» is a three-year project that started in September 2023. It is supported by the FOPH as part of the Swiss Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR). H + Die Spitäler der Schweiz and the Swiss conference of the Cantonal Ministers of Public Health (GDK-CDS) are involved as observers.

Further information can be found on the project website.

Vinciane Vouets : [e-mail]