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Successful antimicrobial stewardship programs rely on engagement with hospital administrators. Antimicrobial stewards should understand the unique pressures and demands of hospital and health system administration and be familiar with key terminology and regulatory requirements. This article provides guidance on strategies for engaging hospital and health system administration to support antimicrobial stewardship, including recommendations for designing a successful antimicrobial stewardship program structure, pitching resource requests, setting meaningful and measurable goals, achieving and communicating results, and fostering ongoing relationships with hospital and health system administration.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can be prevented through infection prevention practices and antibiotic stewardship. Diagnostic stewardship (ie, strategies to improve use of microbiological testing) can also improve antibiotic use. However, little is known about the use of such practices in US hospitals, especially after multidisciplinary stewardship programs became a requirement for US hospital accreditation in 2017. Thus, we surveyed US hospitals to assess antibiotic stewardship program composition, practices related to CDI, and diagnostic stewardship.Surveys were mailed to infection preventionists at 900 randomly sampled US hospitals between May and October 2017. Hospitals were surveyed on antibiotic stewardship programs; CDI prevention, treatment, and testing practices; and diagnostic stewardship strategies. Responses were compared by hospital bed size using weighted logistic regression.Overall, 528 surveys were completed (59% response rate). Almost all (95%) responding hospitals had an antibiotic stewardship program. Smaller hospitals were less likely to have stewardship team members with infectious diseases (ID) training, and only 41% of hospitals met The Joint Commission accreditation standards for multidisciplinary teams. Guideline-recommended CDI prevention practices were common. Smaller hospitals were less likely to use high-tech disinfection devices, fecal microbiota transplantation, or diagnostic stewardship strategies.Following changes in accreditation standards, nearly all US hospitals now have an antibiotic stewardship program. However, many hospitals, especially smaller hospitals, appear to struggle with access to ID expertise and with deploying diagnostic stewardship strategies. CDI prevention could be enhanced through diagnostic stewardship and by emphasizing the role of non-ID-trained pharmacists and clinicians in antibiotic stewardship.

Background: Poor medication adherence is an ongoing issue, and contributes to increased hospitalizations and healthcare costs. Although most adverse effects are rare, the perceived risk of adverse effects may contribute to low adherence rates. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine how adverse effect likelihood and pharmacist counseling on adverse effect prevention affects individuals’: (1) willingness to use a hypothetical medication and (2) perceptions of medication safety. Methods: This study used a 3 × 3 experimental design. Participants (n = 601) viewed a hypothetical scenario asking them to imagine being prescribed an anti-asthma medication that could cause fungal infections of the throat. Participants were randomized to 1 of 9 scenarios that differed on: probability of developing an infection (5%, 20%, no probability mentioned) and whether they were told how to reduce the risk of infection (no prevention strategy discussed, prevention strategy discussed, prevention strategy discussed with explanation for how it works). Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results: Participants were less willing to take the medication (F = 12.86, p < 0.0001) and considered it less safe (F = 13.11, p < 0.0001) when the probability of fungal infection was presented as 20% compared to 5% or when no probability information was given. Participants were more willing to take the medication (F = 11.78, p < 0.0001) and considered it safer (F = 11.17, p < 0.0001) when a prevention strategy was given. Finally, there was a non-statistically significant interaction between the probability and prevention strategy information such that provision of prevention information reduced the effect of variation in the probability of infection on both willingness to use the medication and perceived medication safety. Conclusions: Optimal risk communication involves more than informing patients about possible adverse effects. Pharmacists could potentially improve patient acceptance of therapeutic recommendations, and allay medication safety concerns, by counseling about strategies patients can implement to reduce the perceived risk of adverse effects.

Background The cost of an antibiotic stewardship intervention is an important yet often neglected factor in antibiotic stewardship research. We studied the costs associated with successful implementation of the “Kicking CAUTI” intervention to decrease treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). Methods A central coordinating site facilitated roll-out of an audit and feedback intervention to decrease unnecessary urine cultures and antibiotic treatment in patients with ASB in four Veterans Affairs medical centers. Each site had a physician site champion, a part-time research coordinator, and 1-2 additional participants (often pharmacists). Participants kept weekly time-logs to collect the minutes associated with intervention tasks, and percent full-time effort (FTE) and costs were computed. For weeks with missing logs the average minutes for each activity associated with each type of professional was imputed. Salary information was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Association of American Medical Colleges. Results Research coordinator time comprised of majority of the personnel time, followed by the physician site champions (Figure 1). Each intervention site required about 10% FTE/year of a research coordinator, and 3.5% FTE/year and 3.8% FTE/year of a physician and pharmacist respectively. The coordinating site required 37% FTE/year of a research coordinator, and 9% FTE of a physician to spearhead the intervention. Research coordinators predominantly spent their time on chart-reviews and project coordination. Physician champions predominantly spent their time on delivering audit and feedback and project coordination. The intervention cost USD 22,299/year per site on average, and USD 45,359/year for the coordinating site. Conclusion The Kicking CAUTI intervention was successful at reducing urine cultures and associated antibiotic use, with minimal time from the local team members. The research coordinators’ time was primarily spent on collection of research data, which will not be necessary outside of a research project. Our model of centralized facilitation makes economic sense for widespread scale-up and dissemination of antibiotic stewardship interventions in integrated healthcare systems. Disclosures Barbara Trautner, MD, PhD, Genentech (Consultant, Scientific Research Study Investigator)

Background Antibiotic therapy has no known benefit against COVID-19, but is often initiated out of concern for concomitant bacterial infection. We sought to determine how common early empiric antibiotic therapy and community-onset bacterial co-infections are in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods In this multi-center cohort study of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 discharged from 32 Michigan hospitals during the COVID-19 Michigan surge, we describe the use of early empiric antibiotic therapy (within the first two days) and prevalence of community-onset bacterial co-infection. Additionally, we assessed patient and hospital predictors of early empiric antibiotic using poison generalized estimating equation models. Results Between 3/10/2020 and 5/10/2020, data were collected on 951 COVID-19 PCR positive patients. Patient characteristics are described in Table 1. Nearly two thirds (62.4%, 593/951) of COVID-19 positive patients were prescribed early empiric antibiotic therapy, most of which (66.2%, 393/593) was directed at community-acquired pathogens. Across hospitals, the proportion of COVID-19 patients prescribed early empiric antibiotics varied from 40% to 90% (Figure 1). On multivariable analysis, patients were more likely to receive early empiric antibiotic therapy if they were older (adjusted rate ratio [ARR]: 1.01 [1.00–1.01] per year), required respiratory support (e.g., low flow oxygen, ARR: 1.16 [1.04–1.29]), had signs of a bacterial infection (e.g., lobar infiltrate, ARR: 1.17 [1.02–1.34]), or were admitted to a for-profit hospital (ARR: 1.27 [1.11–1.45]); patients admitted later were less likely to receive empiric antibiotics (April vs. March, ARR: 0.72 [0.62–0.84], Table 2). Community-onset bacterial co-infections were identified in 4.5% (43/951) of COVID-19 positive patients (2.4% [23/951] positive blood culture; 1.9% [18/951] positive respiratory culture). Conclusion Despite low prevalence of community-onset bacterial co-infections, patients hospitalized with COVID-19 often received early empiric antibiotic therapy. Given the potential harms from unnecessary antibiotic use, including additional personal protective equipment to administer antibiotics, judicious antibiotic use is key in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Disclosures Tejal N. Gandhi, MD, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (Grant/Research Support) Scott A. Flanders, MD, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Research Grant or Support)Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (Research Grant or Support)

Testing for and incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) was examined at a single center before and during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Incidence of CDI remained stable but testing statistically significantly decreased during the first surge despite an increase in antibiotic use. There were no new CDI-focused antimicrobial stewardship interventions introduced during this time., Graphical abstract Image 1

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) are costly and morbid. Despite evidence-based guidelines, Some intensive care units (ICUs) continue to have elevated infection rates. In October 2015, we performed a systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature within the PubMed and Cochrane databases for interventions to reduce CLABSI and/or CAUTI in adult ICUs and synthesized findings using a narrative review process. The interventions were categorized using a conceptual model, with stages applicable to both CAUTI and CLABSI prevention: (stage 0) avoid catheter if possible, (stage 1) ensure aseptic placement, (stage 2) maintain awareness and proper care of catheters in place, and (stage 3) promptly remove unnecessary catheters. We also looked for effective components that the 5 most successful (by reduction in infection rates) studies of each infection shared. Interventions that addressed multiple stages within the conceptual model were common in these successful studies. Assuring compliance with infection prevention efforts via auditing and timely feedback were also common. Hospitalists with patient safety interests may find this review informative for formulating quality improvement interventions to reduce these infections.

Pharmaceuticals are beginning to receive attention as a source of pollution in aquatic environments. Yet the impact of physician prescription patterns on water resources is not often discussed in clinical decision making. Here, we comment on a case in which empiric antibiotic treatment might benefit a patient while simultaneously being detrimental to the aquatic environment. We first highlight the potential harm caused by this prescription from its production to its disposal. We then suggest that Van Rensselaer Potter's original conceptualization of bioethics can be used to balance clinicians' obligations to protect individual, public, and environmental health.

Background We evaluated the extent to which hospital characteristics, infection control practices, and compliance with prevention bundles impacted multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infections in Thai hospitals. Methods From 1 January 2014 to 30 November 2014, we surveyed all Thai hospitals with an intensive care unit and ≥250 beds. Infection control practices for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) were assessed. Linear regression was used to examine associations between hospital characteristics and prevention bundle compliance and changes in MDRO infection rates. Results A total of 212 of 245 (86.5%) eligible hospitals responded. Most hospitals regularly used several fundamental infection control practices for MRSA and MDR-AB (ie, contact precautions, private room/cohorting, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and antibiotic stewardship); advanced infection control practices (ie, active surveillance, chlorhexidine bathing, decolonization for MRSA, and hydrogen peroxide vaporizer for MDR-AB) were used less commonly. Facilities with ≥75% compliance with the MRSA prevention bundle experienced a 17.4% reduction in MRSA rates (P = .03). Although the presence of environmental cleaning services (41.3% reduction, P = .01) and a microbiology laboratory (82.8% reduction, P = .02) were among characteristics associated with decreases in MDR-AB rates, greater compliance with the MDR-AB prevention bundle did not lead to reductions in MDR-AB rates. Conclusions Although fundamental MRSA and MDR-AB control practices are used regularly in most Thai hospitals, compliance with more comprehensive bundled prevention approaches is suboptimal. Improving compliance with bundled infection prevention approaches and promoting the integration of certain hospital factors into infection control efforts may help reduce MDRO infections in Thai hospitals.

Norovirus is a frequent cause of acute gastroenteritis and is usually spread through the fecal-oral route. Most patients will recover with supportive care, but in immunocompromised patients, norovirus can be debilitating. Since norovirus has a low infective dose, a sturdy viral structure, and can spread easily within a ward or unit, infection control guidelines should be followed closely when a patient is admitted with norovirus.

Background: Targeted antibiotic stewardship interventions are needed to reduce unnecessary treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). Organizational readiness for change is a precursor to successful change implementation. The Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA) is a validated survey instrument that has been used to detect potential obstacles and tailor interventions. In an outpatient stewardship study, primary care practices with high readiness to change trended toward greater improvements in antibiotic prescribing. We used the ORCA to assess barriers to change before implementing a multicenter inpatient stewardship intervention for ASB. Methods: Surveys were self-administered by healthcare professionals in inpatient medicine and long-term care units at 4 geographically diverse Veterans’ Affairs facilities during January–December 2018. Participants included providers (physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners), nurses, pharmacists, infection preventionists, and quality managers. The survey included 7 subscales: evidence (perceived evidence strength) and 6 context subscales (favorability of the organizational context to support change). Responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 meaning very weak or strongly disagree. Scores were compared between professional types and sites. We also measured allocated employee effort for stewardship at each site. Results: Overall, 104 surveys were completed, with an overall response rate of 69.3%. For all sites combined, the evidence subscale had the highest score of the 7 subscales (mean, 4; SD, 0.9); the resources subscale was significantly lower than other subscales (mean, 2.8; SD, 0.9; P < .001). Scores for budget and staffing resources were lower than scores for training and facility resources (P < .001 for both comparisons). Pharmacists had lower scores than providers for the staff culture subscale (P = .04). Comparing subscales between sites, ORCA scores were significantly different for leadership behavior (communication and management), measurement (goal setting and accountability), and general resources (Fig. 1). The site with the lowest scores for resources (mean, 2.4) also had lower scores for leadership behavior and measurement, and lower pharmacist effort devoted to antibiotic stewardship. Conclusions: Although healthcare professionals endorsed the evidence about nontreatment of ASB, perceived barriers to antibiotic stewardship included inadequate resources and lack of leadership support. These findings provide targets for tailoring the intervention to maximize the success of our stewardship program. Our support to sites with lower leadership scores includes training of local champions who are dedicated to supporting the intervention. For sites with low scores for resources, our targeted implementation strategies include analyzing local needs and avoiding increased workload for existing personnel.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Background The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has supported the development of the Core and Advanced Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS) Curricula for fellows to ensure the future ID workforce is effectively prepared to practice, participate in and lead AS efforts in health care institutions. The Core AS Curriculum is currently available; the Advanced AS Curriculum pilot will begin July, 2020. Methods IDSA formed the AS Curriculum Workgroup, comprised of leaders in AS and medical education from institutions across the country, to lead the AS Curricula development process. The workgroup conducted two surveys of ID Fellowship Program Directors, one in 2016 for the core curriculum and a second in 2018 for the advanced curriculum, to assess existing AS educational resources and determine needs for additional AS educational and evaluation resources. The workgroup used the evaluation data to inform the content, delivery methods, and assessment tools for the curricula. The Core AS Curriculum is designed to provide fellows foundational knowledge and skills in AS. The Advanced AS Curriculum is designed to provide fellows the knowledge and skills to become leaders in AS. The Core AS Curriculum was piloted by 56 ID Fellowship Programs in 2018 and then made broadly available via IDSA Academy in 2019. Pilot data will be used to improve future iterations of the curriculum. The Advanced AS Curriculum pilot will begin in 2020 and will be broadly available in 2021. Results The curricular packages contain a variety of training resources including eLearning modules, lectures slides, case-based questions, videos, reading materials, pocket cards, group-based learning, role play exercises and simulations. The modules can be taught by faculty to fellows or conducted as a self-directed learning experience. Program directors and fellows who participated in the Core AS Curriculum pilot reported that their fellowship program was significantly more effective in teaching multiple key stewardship content areas (Table). Table. Conclusion Evaluation data from programs who piloted the Core AS Curriculum indicate that this blended learning experience is an effective method for teaching AS and in providing educational and assessment tools for ID fellowship programs. The Advanced AS Curriculum will be similarly evaluated. Disclosures Julie Ann Justo, PharmD, MS, BCPS-AQ ID, bioMerieux (Speaker’s Bureau)TRC Healthcare (Speaker’s Bureau)

Background Nursing home (NH) populations are at higher risk for morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. A March 2020 NH survey indicated improvements in pandemic planning when compared to a similar survey in 2007. We surveyed NHs to evaluate how well pandemic preparedness plans and infection prevention strategies met the reality of COVID-19. Methods The first COVID-19 case in Michigan was reported March 10, 2020. In the setting of 46,088 cases and 4,327 deaths statewide as of May 1, we disseminated an online survey to state department-registered NHs to describe their experience of the initial pandemic wave. Responses were collected May 1–12, during which the state averaged 585 cases/day. We were particularly interested in NH preparedness, challenges, testing capacity, and adaptations made. Results Of 452 NHs contacted, 145 opened the survey and 143 (32%) responded. A majority (68%) indicated that their facility’s pandemic response plan addressed > 90% of issues they experienced; 29% reported their plan addressed most but not all anticipated concerns (Table 1). As the pandemic evolved, all facilities (100%) provided additional staff education on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) use. 66% reported experiencing shortages of PPE and other supplies. Half of all facilities (50%) lacked sufficient resources to test asymptomatic residents or staff; only 36% were able to test all residents and staff with suspected COVID-19 infection. Half (52%) considered their communication regarding COVID-19 with nearby hospitals “very good.” The majority of facilities (55%) experienced staffing shortages, often relying on remaining staff to work additional hours and/or contracted staff to fill deficits (Table 2). NH staff resignations increased, with 63% of NHs experiencing resignations; staff with greater bedside contact were more likely to leave, including nurses and nurse assistants. Conclusion While most NHs had a plan to respond to COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many facilities experienced a lack of available resources, less than ideal communication lines with local hospitals, lack of testing capacity and insufficient staff. These shortcomings indicate potential high-yield areas of improvement in pandemic preparedness in the NH setting. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background:Antibiotic-resistant organism (ARO) colonization rates in skilled nursing facilities (NFs) are high; hand hygiene is crucial to interrupt transmission. We aimed to determine factors associated with hand hygiene adherence in NFs and to assess rates of ARO acquisition among healthcare personnel (HCP).Methods:HCP were observed during routine care at 6 NFs. We recorded hand hygiene adherence, glove use, activities, and time in room. HCP hands were cultured before and after patient care; patients and high-touch surfaces were cultured. HCP activities were categorized as high-versus low-risk for self-contamination. Multivariable regression was performed to identify predictors of hand hygiene adherence.Results:We recorded 385 HCP observations and paired them with cultures performed before and after patient care. Hand hygiene adherence occurred in 96 of 352 observations (27.3%) before patient care and 165 of 358 observations (46.1%) after patient care. Gloves were worn in 169 of 376 observations (44.9%). Higher adherence was associated with glove use before patient care (odds ratio [OR], 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–4.54) and after patient care (OR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.77–5.48). Compared with nurses, certified nurse assistants had lower hand hygiene adherence (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15–0.67) before patient care and physical/occupational therapists (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.11–0.44) after patient care. Hand hygiene varied by activity performed and time in the room. HCP hands were contaminated with AROs in 35 of 385 cultures of hands before patient care (0.9%) and 22 of 350 cultures of hands after patient care (6.3%).Conclusions:Hand hygiene adherence in NFs remain low; it is influenced by job title, type of care activity, and glove use. Hand hygiene programs should incorporate these unique care and staffing factors to reduce ARO transmission.

Background Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) remains prevalent in hospitals in the United States. Objective To evaluate the impact of a multimodal intervention in hospitals with elevated rates of health care-associated infection. Design Pre-post observational evaluation of a prospective, national, clustered, nonrandomized initiative of 3 cohorts of hospitals. Setting Acute care, long-term acute care, and critical access hospitals, including intensive care units and medical/surgical wards. Participants Target hospitals had a cumulative attributable difference above the first tertile of performance for Clostridioides difficile infection and another health care-associated infection (such as CLABSI). Some hospitals that did not meet these criteria also participated. Intervention A multimodal intervention consisting of recommendations and tools for prioritizing and implementing evidence-based infection prevention strategies, on-demand educational videos, webinars led by content experts, and access to content experts. Measurements Rates of CLABSI and device utilization ratio pre- and postintervention. Results Between November 2016 and May 2018, 387 hospitals in 23 states and the District of Columbia participated. Monthly preimplementation CLABSI rates ranged from 0 to 71.4 CLABSIs per 1000 catheter-days. Over the study period, the unadjusted CLABSI rate was low and decreased from 0.88 to 0.80 CLABSI per 1000 catheter-days. Between the pre- and postintervention periods, device utilization decreased from 24.05 to 22.07 central line-days per 100 patient-days. However, a decreasing trend in device utilization was also observed during the preintervention period. Limitations The intervention period was brief. Participation in and adherence to recommended interventions were not fully assessed. Rates of CLABSI were low. Patient characteristics could not be assessed. Conclusion In hospitals with a disproportionate burden of health care-associated infection, a multimodal intervention did not reduce rates of CLABSI. Primary funding source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Background Antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) outcomes are often measured in the acute care setting, less is known about the effect of acute care antibiotic exposures on multidrug-resistant organism (MDROs) colonization of nursing home (NH) patients. We assessed exposure to antibiotics commonly associated with Clostridioides difficile (C. diffogenic agents) on post-acute care patient colonization and room environment contamination (Figure 1). Figure 1. Conceptual Diagram of Hospital Antibiotic Exposure’s Influence on Patient Colonization and Room Environment Contamination with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms Methods MDRO surveillance of post-acute care patients in 6 NHs between 2013–16. We screened patient hands, nares, oropharynx, groin, perianal area, and high-touch room environment surfaces for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and resistant Gram-negative bacilli (rGNB). C. diffogenic agents were defined as fluoroquinolones, 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins, penicillin combinations, lincosamides, and carbapenems. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess whether hospital antibiotic exposure is an independent risk factor for MDRO colonization and room environment contamination on study enrollment. Results We enrolled 618 patients: average age was 74.4 years; 57.4% female; 62.3% white; 9.9% had indwelling devices (Table 1). Three hundred-fifty patients (56.6%) were MDRO colonized on enrollment: 98 (15.9%), MRSA; 208 (33.7%); VRE; 196 (31.7%), rGNB. Sixty-eight percent of patient rooms were MDRO contaminated: 166 (26.9%), MRSA; 293, (47.4%). VRE; 182 (29.5%), rGNB. A majority (59.4%) of patients were exposed to an antibiotic before admission. Of which, 239 (65.1%) were exposed to a C. diffogenic antibiotic. In multivariable analysis, C. diffogenic antibiotic exposure was an independent risk factor for MDRO colonization (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.35–2.79), MDRO room environment contamination (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.43–2.63), VRE colonization (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 2.59–6.90), and VRE room environment contamination (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 2.00–3.33). Table 1. Clinical Characteristics and MDRO Burden on Study Enrollment, Stratified by Hospital Antibiotic Exposure Status Multivariable Analysis of Hospital Antibiotic Exposure Status as Risk Factor for Proximal and Distal MDRO Outcomes Conclusion Hospital exposure to antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of VRE colonization and room environment contamination on NH study enrollment. These observations highlight the potential influence of hospital-based ASPs on MDRO prevalence and transmission in NHs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background We previously conducted a successful single-site intervention to improve compliance with antibiotic stewardship guidelines for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). In this dissemination project we explored whether we could facilitate antibiotic stewardship for ASB at a distance, in four distant VA medical centers. Methods Each site champion received a decision-aid algorithm, interactive teaching based on actual cases, and support with data collection. The focus of the intervention was on teaching providers in acute and long-term care to avoid ordering unnecessary urine cultures. We measured DOT (days of antibiotic therapy), LOT (length of antibiotic therapy) and urine cultures ordered per 1,000 bed-days monthly in the intervention sites and four matched control sites. Both DOT and LOT captured all systemic antibiotics initiated on day -1 to +2 of a urine culture order. We conducted segmented regression analyses for the three outcomes for the intervention and control sites separately, and difference in differences analysis for urine cultures. Results Over the baseline and intervention years, 12,260 urine cultures were ordered in 6823 unique patients in the acute and long-term care wards at the 8 sites. During the baseline year, the average urine-culture related DOT was 45.1 and LOT was 34.7, per 1000 bed-days. Both DOT and LOT decreased significantly over the intervention period in the intervention sites (p < 0.05 for both); a significant decrease was not seen in the control sites (Figures 1 and 2). For urine cultures, at baseline the average number of cultures ordered per month per 1000 bed-days was 13.6. Both intervention and control sites saw a significant decrease in urine cultures over the baseline year. In the intervention year, urine cultures continued to decrease in the intervention sites (p=0.001) but increased in the control sites (Figure 3). Figure 1. Days of Therapy (DOT) per 1,000 bed-days, for antibiotics started within -1 to +2 days of a urine culture Figure 2. Length of Therapy (LOT) per 1,000 bed-days, for antibiotics started within -1 to +2 days of a urine culture Figure 3. Urine Cultures per 1,000 bed-days Conclusion Our externally-facilitated intervention significantly decreased local antibiotic use (both DOT and LOT) and urine cultures. Unnecessary urine cultures are a major driver of unnecessary antibiotic use for ASB, and our focus on diagnostic stewardship for urine cultures led to antibiotic stewardship. Our next step will be to further disseminate our intervention to other VA facilities. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health threat internationally but, particularly in India. A primary contributing factor to this rise in resistance includes unregulated access to antimicrobials. Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in the acute hospital setting will help curb inappropriate antibiotic use in India. Currently, ASPs are rare in India but are gaining momentum. This study describes ASP implementation in a large, academic, private, tertiary care center in India. Methods An ASP was established in February 2016 consisting of an administrative champion, hospitalist, microbiologist, intensivist, and pharmacists. Antimicrobial stewardship program interventions included postprescriptive audit and establishment of institutional guidelines. The ASP tracked appropriate drug selection including loading dose, maintenance dose, frequency, route, duration of therapy, de-escalation, and compliance with ASP recommendations. Defined daily dose (DDD) of drugs and cost of antimicrobials were compared between the pre-implementation phase (February 2015–January 2016) and post-implementation phase (February 2016–January 2017). Results Of 48 555 patients admitted during the post-implementation phase, 1020 received 1326 prescriptions for restricted antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy was appropriate in 56% (742) of the total patient prescriptions. A total of 2776 instances of “inappropriate” antimicrobial prescriptions were intervened upon by the ASP. Duration (806, 29%) was the most common reason for inappropriate therapy. Compliance with ASP recommendations was 54% (318). For all major restricted drugs, the DDD/1000 patient days declined, and there was a significant reduction in mean monthly cost by 14.4% in the post-implementation phase. Conclusions Implementation of a multidisciplinary antibiotic stewardship program in this academic, large, Indian hospital demonstrated feasibility and economic benefits.

Background Most nursing facilities (NFs) lack methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) surveillance programs due to limited resources and high costs. We investigated the utility of environmental screening of high-touch surfaces in patient rooms as a way to circumvent these challenges. Methods We compared MRSA and VRE culture data from high-touch surfaces in patients' rooms (14450 samples from 6 NFs) and ranked each site's performance in predicting patient colonization (7413 samples). The best-performing sites were included in a MRSA- and a VRE-specific panel that functioned as a proxy for patient colonization. Molecular typing was performed to confirm available concordant patient-environment pairs. Results We identified and validated a MRSA panel that consisted of the bed controls, nurse call button, bed rail, and TV remote control. The VRE panel included the toilet seat, bed controls, bed rail, TV remote control, and top of the side table. Panel colonization data tracked patient colonization. Negative predictive values were 89%-92% for MRSA and 82%-84% for VRE. Molecular typing confirmed a strong clonal type relationship in available concordant patient-environment pairs (98% for MRSA, 91% for VRE), pointing to common epidemiological patterns for environmental and patient isolates. Conclusions Environmental panels used as a proxy for patient colonization and incorporated into facility surveillance protocols can guide decolonization strategies, improve awareness of MRSA and VRE burden, and inform efforts to reduce transmission. Targeted environmental screening may be a viable surveillance strategy for MRSA and VRE detection in NFs.

A needs assessment survey of infectious diseases (ID) training program directors identified gaps in educational resources for training and evaluating ID fellows in antimicrobial stewardship. An Infectious Diseases Society of America–sponsored core curriculum was developed to address that need.

Background Antimicrobial stewardship to combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a national priority. This project focuses on reducing inappropriate use of antimicrobials for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), a very common condition that leads to antimicrobial overuse in acute and long-term care. We previously conducted a successful intervention, entitled “Kicking Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI): the No Knee-Jerk Antibiotics Campaign,” to decrease guideline-discordant ordering of urine cultures and antibiotics for ASB. The current objective is to facilitate implementation of a scalable version of the Kicking CAUTI campaign across four geographically diverse Veterans Health Administration facilities while assessing what aspects of an antimicrobial stewardship intervention are essential to success and sustainability. Methods This project uses an interrupted time series design with four control sites. The two main intervention tools are (1) an evidence-based algorithm that distills the guidelines into a streamlined clinical pathway and (2) case-based audit and feedback to train clinicians to use the algorithm. Our conceptual framework for the development and implementation of this intervention draws on May’s General Theory of Implementation. The intervention is directed at providers in acute and long-term care, and the goal is to reduce inappropriate screening for and treatment of ASB in all patients and residents, not just those with urinary catheters. The start-up for each facility consists of centrally-led phone calls with local site champions and baseline surveys. Case-based audit and feedback will begin at a given site after the start-up period and continue for 12 months, followed by a sustainability assessment. In addition to the clinical outcomes, we will explore the relationship between the dose of the intervention and clinical outcomes. Discussion This project moves from a proof-of-concept effectiveness study to implementation involving significantly more sites, and uses the General Theory of Implementation to embed the intervention into normal processes of care with usual care providers. Aspects of implementation that will be explored include dissemination, internal and external facilitation, and organizational partnerships. “Less is More” is the natural next step from our prior successful Kicking CAUTI intervention, and has the potential to improve patient care while advancing the science of implementation.

Background To strengthen state collaborative efforts and reduce common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in short-stay and long-term acute care hospitals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched “States Targeting Reduction in Infections via Engagement” (STRIVE) - a national quality improvement program. Methods STRIVE consisted of a multimodal intervention implemented from November 2016 to May 2018 (Figure 1). Hospitals with excess Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and a high burden of at least one of the following HAIs - central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infection were targeted. Monthly aggregate HAI and device utilization ratios - according to CDC National Healthcare Safety Network definitions - were measured during the pre vs. post-intervention periods. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with state partners was conducted to understand the influence of the intervention. Results Overall, 387 hospitals from 23 states and the District of Columbia participated. Changes in HAI rates and catheter utilization are illustrated in Figure 2. From pre- to post-intervention, substantial changes in HAI rates above temporal trends were not observed (CDI, 7.0 to 5.7 per 10000 patient-days; CLABSI, 0.88 to 0.80 per 1000 catheter days; CAUTI, 1.12 to 1.04 per 1000 catheter days; MRSA bloodstream infection, 0.075 to 0.071 per 1,000 patient-days) Similarly, catheter utilization did not differ substantially between the pre- and post-intervention periods (24.05 to 22.07 central line days per 100 patient-days; 21.46 to 19.83 urinary catheter days per 100 patient-days). Qualitative analysis of 17 interviews with state partners showed that relationships among state partners and hospitals were strengthened, potentially facilitating collaboration on future infection prevention efforts. Conclusion Though HAI reductions were observed during STRIVE, these reductions were consistent with temporal trends. Hospitals struggling with high HAI rates may require additional novel approaches. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Background Hospital-acquired urinary tract-related bloodstream infections are rare but often lethal. Recent epidemiology of this condition among the United States veteran population is poorly described. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of hospital-acquired urinary tract-related bloodstream infections of adult inpatients admitted to 4 Veterans Affairs hospitals over 15 years. Electronic medical records were used to obtain clinical, demographic, and microbiologic information. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square tests of association. Test for trend was performed by genus of organism and for case fatality rate over time. Results While the most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (36.5%), the incidence of infections caused by Escherichia and Klebsiella increased over time (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively). The overall in-hospital case fatality rate was 24.2% in 499 patients. The case fatality rate was 25.8% for patients with Staphylococcus infections and 20.7% for patients with enterococcal infections. Conclusions Hospital-acquired urinary tract-related bloodstream infection is commonly due to Staphylococcus spp. and is related to the high fatality among United States veterans. Focused infection control efforts could decrease the incidence of this fatal infection.

BACKGROUNDPeripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). However, no tools to predict risk of PICC-CLABSI have been developed.OBJECTIVETo operationalize or prioritize CLABSI risk factors when making decisions regarding the use of PICCs using a risk model to estimate an individual’s risk of PICC-CLABSI prior to device placement.METHODSUsing data from the Michigan Hospital Medicine Safety consortium, patients that experienced PICC-CLABSI between January 2013 and October 2016 were identified. A Cox proportional hazards model with robust sandwich standard error estimates was then used to identify factors associated with PICC-CLABSI. Based on regression coefficients, points were assigned to each predictor and summed for each patient to create the Michigan PICC-CLABSI (MPC) score. The predictive performance of the score was assessed using time-dependent area-under-the-curve (AUC) values.RESULTSOf 23,088 patients that received PICCs during the study period, 249 patients (1.1%) developed a CLABSI. Significant risk factors associated with PICC-CLABSI included hematological cancer (3 points), CLABSI within 3 months of PICC insertion (2 points), multilumen PICC (2 points), solid cancers with ongoing chemotherapy (2 points), receipt of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through the PICC (1 point), and presence of another central venous catheter (CVC) at the time of PICC placement (1 point). The MPC score was significantly associated with risk of CLABSI (PCONCLUSIONThe MPC score offers a novel way to inform decisions regarding PICC use, surveillance of high-risk cohorts, and utility of blood cultures when PICC-CLABSI is suspected. Future studies validating the score are necessary.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:1155–1166

We assessed multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) patient hand colonization in relation to the environment in post-acute care to determine risk factors for MDRO hand colonization. Patient hand colonization was significantly associated with environmental contamination. Risk factors for hand colonization included disability, urinary catheter, recent antibiotic use, and prolonged hospital stay.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1110–1113

Background Despite a significant increase in fungal blood stream (BSI) infections in India, there is paucity of data on regional prevalence of major fungal species, and risk factors for this infection. We describe the epidemiology and predictors of fungal BSI in a tertiary care center in Kerala, India with a novel antimicrobial stewardship program in place. Methods Data on adult inpatients who had at least one positive fungal culture from blood samples were collected from electronic medical records over a period of 48 months (January 2012 and December 2015). Year wise epidemiology and risk factor characterization of fungal BSI were done using χ2 method. Results A total of 219 fungal BSI were identified with incidence of 1.08 cases/1,000 patients and there was a 15% decrease over the 4-year period. There was a 300% increase in fungal BSI in patients older than 80 years. Candida was the most common cause of fungal BSI (92%), with a 100% increase in incidence of C. glabrata and C. haemolunii, and a 45% decrease in C. parapsilosis seen over the 4-year period. Community-acquired fungal BSI increased by 700% while hospital-associated infections dropped by 29%. Twenty-three percent decrease in inappropriate antifungal treatment was observed from 2012 to 2015. Isolates reflected a 71% increase in resistance to amphotericin B and a 114% increase in fluconazole resistance. Thirty-one percent reduction in all-cause mortality was seen in the cohort over the study period. Among the risk factors for fungal BSI, ICU stay, use of urinary catheter, surgery, neutropenia, and diabetes decreased while prior antibiotic use and steroid use significantly increased over the years (P < 0.05). Predictors of mortality included male gender, prior use of antibiotics, ICU stay, use of ventilator, chemotherapy, chronic liver disease, hypertension, presence of Candida parapsilosis, and inappropriate therapy (P < 0.05). Conclusion A significant shift in fungal BSI epidemiology was observed in our center with increase in overall antifungal resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programs may have contributed to reduced mortality and reduced hospital-associated infections. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains one of the most common causes of health care-associated infection (HAI). Objective To evaluate the effect of education and a tiered, evidence-based infection prevention strategy on rates of hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI). Design Prospective, national, nonrandomized, interventional, 12-month, multiple cohort, pre-post observational quality improvement project. Setting Acute care, long-term acute care, and critical access hospitals with a disproportionate burden of HAI. Patients All patients admitted to participating facilities during the project period. Intervention A multimodal infection prevention intervention consisting of recommendations and tools for prioritizing and implementing evidence-based infection prevention strategies, on-demand educational videos, Internet-based live educational presentations, and access to content experts. Measurements Rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI, overall and stratified by hospital type, during 12-month baseline and postintervention periods. Variation in outcomes across hospital types was examined. Results Between November 2016 and May 2018, 387 hospitals in 23 states and the District of Columbia participated, 353 (91%) submitted MRSA data, and 172 (49%) indicated that MRSA prevention was a priority. Unadjusted overall rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI were 0.075 (95% CI, 0.065 to 0.085) and 0.071 (CI, 0.063 to 0.080) per 1000 patient-days in the baseline and postintervention periods, respectively. Limitations The intervention period was short. Participation and adherence to recommended interventions were not fully assessed. Baseline rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI were relatively low. Prevention of MRSA was a priority in a minority of participating hospitals. Patient characteristics and other MRSA risk factors were not assessed. Conclusion In hospitals with a disproportionate burden of HAIs, access to tools to assist with implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and education resources alone may not be sufficient to prevent MRSA BSI. Primary funding source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Background In India, Candida bloodstream infections have a reported incidence of 1–12 per 1,000 admissions and a mortality rate of up to 60%. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) can improve quality of care and clinical outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of a comprehensive candidemia ASP bundle in a hospital in southern India with an established stewardship program. Methods A single-center, pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted at a tertiary-care center in southern India to analyze the impact of an ASP care bundle for the management of adults with candidemia. During the intervention period (October 2017–December 2018), the ASP provided recommendations to providers in accordance with the 2016 IDSA Guidelines for the Management of Candidemia, which included the following bundle: (1) appropriate selection and dosing of antifungal therapy; (2) repeat blood cultures every 48 hours until clearance; (3) removal of central venous catheters and other potential removable foci of infection; (4) echocardiogram; (5) ophthalmologic evaluation; and (6) appropriate duration of therapy. The primary outcome was initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy. Additional clinical outcomes were also compared with a historical cohort. Results One hundred and four patients with candidemia were included: 52 in the pre-intervention and 52 in the post-intervention group. Overall, baseline demographics were similar between the two groups (Table 1). Candida tropicalis (26.9%) and Candida parapsilosis (29.8%) were the most common causes of candidemia in the cohort. Following intervention, administration of appropriate antifungal therapy improved by 40.4% (28.8% pre vs. 69.2% post, P < 0.01). Average time to effective treatment initiation following culture positivity decreased from 57.6 hours to 12 hours in the post-intervention group (P < 0.01). Thirty-day all-cause mortality was similar between the two groups (34.6% 38.4%, P = 0.84). Conclusion Implementation of a comprehensive candidemia care bundle by the ASP significantly improved the use and timing of initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

OBJECTIVES: Fuzzy trace theory was used to examine the effect of information concerning medication benefits and side-effects on willingness to use a hypothetical medication. METHODS: Participants (N=999) were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Using 3×5 experimental research design, each participant viewed information about medication side effects in 1 of 3 formats and information about medication benefits in 1 of 5 formats. For both side-effects and benefits, one format presented only non-numeric information and the remaining formats presented numeric information. RESULTS: Individuals in the non-numeric side-effect condition were less likely to take the medication than those in the numeric conditions (p

Background We designed an intervention to reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), by decreasing unnecessary urine cultures. Nurses and clinical nurse assistants (CNAs) play important roles in requesting urine cultures. As preparation for the intervention, we assessed knowledge of the appropriate indications for urine cultures among these personnel while measuring their safety climate. Methods Surveys were administered to licensed nursing personnel (RN, LPN, and NP) as well as to CNAs on all acute medical and long-term care units of four VA facilities across the nation. Surveys combined two validated subcomponents: knowledge of ASB and safety attitudes. Knowledge questions, which differed in emphasis between the licensed personnel and the CNAs, focused on indications for urine cultures. Safety questions were the teamwork climate and safety climate domains from the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. Surveys were administered on paper during January–April 2018. Results We received 110 responses from licensed nursing personnel and 40 from CNAs. The response rate on distributed surveys was 110/140 (79%) for licensed personnel and 40/50 (80%) for CNAs. 94% of nurses and 73% of CNAs correctly recognized fever as an indication for urine culture. Many also endorsed incorrect triggers for urine cultures: cloudy urine (80% of nurses, 55% of CNAs), foul-smelling urine (87% of nurses, 85% of CNAs), and a change in color (44% of nurses, 73% of CNAs). 50% of nurses endorsed screening urine cultures on admission of catheterized patients. Scores on the teamwork climate (highest possible score 100) were 70 for nurses and 79 for CNAs; scores on the safety climate were 70 for nurses and 78 for CNAs. Conclusion This multicenter survey identified actionable gaps in knowledge about when to send urine cultures among nursing personnel in acute medical and long-term care units. However, scores on teamwork and safety climate were high, suggesting that these personnel have an effective voice in patient safety. Together our survey results indicate that empowering the personnel at the bedside to discourage unnecessary urine culturing should be a key component of our stewardship intervention. Disclosures B. W. Trautner, Paratek: Consultant, Consulting fee. Zambon: Consultant, Consulting fee and Research grant.

Background Inaccurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and inappropriate anti- tubercular therapy (ATT) contribute majorly to the emergence of drug-resistant TB in India, particularly in the private healthcare sector. Our study evaluated the appropriateness of ATT as per Revised National TB control Program at our institution, a large private tertiary center in Kerala, India, after establishment of an Anti-Tubercular Stewardship program (ATTSP). Methods The ATTSP was implemented as part of a recently developed Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). A multidisciplinary team including an administrative physician champion, pulmonologist, infectious disease specialist, and clinical pharmacists met twice weekly to review all patients initiated on ATT and to assess each case for appropriateness in terms of right indication, right drug, right dose, right frequency, and right duration. For each patient who had an inappropriate ATT prescription, appropriate recommendations based on standard treatment guidelines were filed in the charts and communicated to the primary team via email and phone. Compliance to recommendations was monitored. The clinical pharmacists followed up patients after discharge Results Eight (52%) patients were prescribed ATT appropriately among the 153 patients reviewed from July 2017 to April 2018. Ninety-six interventions were recommended for the 73 cases with inappropriate ATT. Of these inappropriate ATT, 16 were for wrong indication, 27 for wrong drug, 52 for wrong dose and 1 for wrong frequency. Among the 137 accurately diagnosed cases of TB, 52% (71) were definite cases of TB while the rest were presumptive. Pulmonary, extra pulmonary and disseminated TB cases accounted for 45% (62), 50% (69) and 4% (6), respectively. ATT was appropriate in 63% (39) of pulmonary TB, and 54% (37) of extra pulmonary TB. Among 23 pulmonary TB patients with inappropriate ATT, 48% (11) were for wrong drug, 78%(8) for wrong dose and 17%(4) for wrong frequency. The 32 inappropriate extra-pulmonary TB cases included 19% (6) for inappropriate drug selection and 81% (26) for inappropriate dose. Compliance to ATTSP recommendations was 34%. Conclusion TB in India is a vital target for ATT stewardship (10% of patients in this cohort had an inaccurate diagnosis of TB). ATTSP may be a worth initial target for novel ASPs in India. Disclosures K. Kaye, Zavante Therapeutics, Inc.: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee.

Background Colistin has re-emerged as last line antimicrobial to combat MDR GNB. There is need for robust pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) data to guide dosing. This study assessed the PK of CMS and colistin and its impact on clinical cure (CC) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients with normal baseline renal function. Methods Adult critically ill patients with colistin susceptible MDR/XDR infections and normal renal function who were treated with intravenous CMS (9MU CMS loading dose (LD) followed by maintenance (MD) 3MU every 8 hour starting 24 hours after LD) were recruited into this prospective observational study. For PK sampling, 3mL venous blood was drawn immediately before LD and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours after LD. During MD, samples were collected before and at 1, 2 and 8 hours after the eight and nineth infusion. Colistin plasma concentrations were determined by LC–MS. Results A total of 280 serum samples were analyzed from 20 patients. Sixty percent had pneumonia. Predominant pathogens were Klebsiella pneumonia (12) and Acinetobacter spp. (8). Mean creatinine clearance (CrCl) was 115 ± 24 mL/minute (72.3–208.8). All patients received combination therapy with colistin, 18(90%) received meropenem and 5(25%) received tigecycline. Clinical cure rate was 50% (10/20) and mortality rate was 25% (5/20). Mean LD colistin Cmax were 3 ± 1.1 mg/L (1.75–5.14) and 2.37 ± 1.2 mg/L (1.52–5.54) among CC and CF groups, respectively (P = 0.13). MD colistin Css avg was 2.25 ± 1.3 mg/L and 1.78 ± 1.1 mg/L in CC and CF groups, respectively. The mean AUC0–24/MIC ratio of MD colistin was 92.76 ± 65.5 and 76.59 ± 51.8 for CC and CF groups, respectively (P = 0.27). In pneumonia, AUC0–24/MIC for Acinetobacter spp. was higher in the CC (71.18 ± 10.20) than in the CF group (40.88 ± 16.28) (P = 0.05). Renal injury was 5% at 7 days and 40% at end of therapy. Ten to 20% of patients with CrCl ≥ 100 mL/minute had Css avg ≥ 2 mg/L. Majority of CF with AKI had Css avg between 1 and 1.5 mg/L Conclusion Clinical cure was low at 50%. Sub-inhibitory Css avg and increased volume of distribution following MD could have contributed to high failure. Colistin exposures were similar to those reported in other published cohorts with no consistent exposure-response relationship. Based on these results, there is an important role for therapeutic drug monitoring with Colistin. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

We report a case of recurrent Achromobacter xylosoxidans infections including bacteremia, sepsis, septic joints and endocarditis in a 72 year old female with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a gram negative bacteria increasingly identified in immunocompromised patients. Surgical and medical therapy may need to be combined.

Background Polymyxin B(PB) and Colistin (PE) use have increased in India due to emergence of resistant Gram-negative organisms. The Indian Council of Medical Research has identified carbapenems, polymyxins (PE and PB) as key antimicrobials which require restriction in hospitals. We describe epidemiology of PB and PE use following implementation of an Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) in a 1300-bed, private, tertiary-care center in Southern India. Methods An ASP was established at Amrita Hospital in Feb 2016 consisting of an administrative champion, hospitalist, microbiologist, intensivist and 5 pharmacists. Institutional guidelines for polymyxins were established and disseminated. The ASP team performed daily post-prescriptive reviews, evaluated and tracked appropriateness of PB and PE use, including administration of a loading dose (LD), maintenance dose (MD), frequency, route and duration of therapy. ASP recommendations and compliance were recorded. Results During the 12-month study period (Feb ‘16-Jan ‘17), 348 patients received 295 PE and 94 PB courses. Mean age was 50 yrs and 73% were male. Patients on Medicine and Hematology/Oncology teams accounted for 42% of all prescriptions. The most common infections were bacteremia (34%), pneumonia (29%) and UTI (23%). Pathogens were recovered in 69% (269/389) of cases, Klebsiella pneumoniae 23% (90/389) and Acinetobacter baumanii11 % (45/389) were most common. 290 (75%) of polymyxin course were judged to be inappropriate (78% of PE and 22% of PB). The most frequent reasons for inappropriate therapy included incorrect frequency of administration (64% for PB and 58% for PE), inappropriate MD (60% for PB and 48% for PE) and wrong duration of therapy (54% for PE and 48% for PB). 95% of incorrect MD for both PE and PB were too low. The reasons for inappropriateness were similar for both polymyxins.While all inappropriate LD episodes for PB (n = 22 %) were due to lack of a LD, errors for PE (n = 34%) involved either omission of LD or administration of LD that was too low.ASP recommendations were made in 190 instances with 58% provider compliance. Conclusion Review of PB and PE use in our hospital indicates a high percentage of inappropriate use and highlights stewardship opportunities for improving care of patients with resistant infections. Disclosures K. S. Kaye, Xellia: Consultant, Consulting fee; Merck: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting fee and Research support; The Medicines Company: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting fee and Research support