A Statewide Assessment of Antifungal Stewardship Activities in Acute-Care Hospitals in Connecticut

Abstract

Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with invasive fungal infections and concerns of emerging antifungal resistance have highlighted the importance of optimizing antifungal therapy among hospitalized patients. Little is known about antifungal stewardship (AFS) practices among acute-care hospitals. We sought to assess AFS activities within Connecticut and to identify opportunities for improvement. Methods: An electronic survey assessing AFS practices was distributed to infectious disease physicians or pharmacy antibiotic stewardship program leaders in Connecticut hospitals. Survey questions evaluated AFS activities based on antibiotic stewardship principles, including several CDC Core Elements. Questions assessed antifungal restriction, prospective audit and feedback practices, antifungal utilization measurements, and the perceived utility of a local or statewide antifungal antibiogram. Results: Responses were received from 15 respondents, which represented 20 of 31 hospitals (65%); these hospitals made up the majority of the acute-care hospitals in Connecticut. Furthermore, 18 of these hospitals (58%) include antifungals in their stewardship programs. Also, 16 hospitals (52%) conduct routine review of antifungal ordering and provide feedback to providers for some antifungals, most commonly for amphotericin B, voriconazole, micafungin, isavuconazole, and flucytosine. All hospitals include guidance on intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) conversions, when appropriate. Only 14 of hospitals (45%) require practitioners to document indication(s) for systemic antifungal use. Most hospitals (17, 55%) provide recommendations for de-escalation of therapy in candidemia, though only 4 (13%) have institutional guidelines for candidemia treatment, and only 11 hospital mandates an infectious diseases consultation for candidemia. Assessing outcomes pertaining to antifungal utilization is uncommon; only 8 hospitals (26%) monitor days of therapy and 5 (16%) monitor antifungal expenditures. Antifungal susceptibility testing on Candida bloodstream isolates is performed routinely at 6 of the hospitals (19%). Most respondents (19, 95%) support developing an antibiogram for Candida bloodstream isolates at the statewide level. Conclusions: Although AFS interventions occur in Connecticut hospitals, there are opportunities for enhancement, such as providing institutional guidelines for candidemia treatment and mandating infectious diseases consultation for candidemia. The Connecticut Department of Public Health implemented statewide Candida bloodstream isolate surveillance in 2019, which includes antifungal susceptibility testing. The creation of a statewide antibiogram for Candida bloodstream infections is underway to support empiric antifungal therapy.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None