Eurosurveillance
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BackgroundA point prevalence survey (PPS) on healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial use was conducted in Swiss acute care hospitals in 2017. AimOur objective was to assess antimicrobial use in Swiss acute care hospitals. MethodsAll patients hospitalised in any acute care hospital in Switzerland were eligible. ⋯ A total of 1,931 (37.4%; 95% CI: 36.1-38.8) of the 5,158 antimicrobials for systemic use were broad-spectrum antibiotics, most frequently third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins (35.9%; 95% CI: 33.8-38.1). ConclusionsAntimicrobial consumption was at European average, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the lower third. Swiss acute care hospitals should invest in antimicrobial stewardship, particularly in reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.