Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Antibiotic stewardship (ABS) denotes structured and continuous measures to improve the quality of prescribing anti-infectives. The aim is to achieve optimal treatment results and to minimize undesirable effects, especially the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This review summarizes the most important ABS principles based on recently published studies with implications for the management of community-acquired pneumonia. ⋯ However, the implementation of ABS programs requires trained personnel and may be impeded by limited structural and time resources. Hence, electronic health records and computer-based interventions are useful support for ABS programs and offer potential to facilitate ABS in inpatient and outpatient care. PCR-based rapid diagnostic tests, PCT-guided algorithms and penicillin allergy testing are suitable procedures to supplement ABS programs.