LAUSR

Abstract Today, the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance has become one of the main concerns of health system around the world. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are considered as the most important strategy in optimizing antibiotic consumption, which in turn reduce the emergence of multidrug/extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) microorganisms, as well as reducing mortality and healthcare costs. However, the effectiveness of APSs in controlling the spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae has not been investigated. The pooled odds ratio for the effectiveness of ASPs in reducing ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.70–0.98; P value: 0.03); our results showed that in group with implemented ASPs, the prevalence of infection associated with these bacteria had been reduced by 11.8%. Overall, antimicrobial stewardship strategies are significantly effective in reducing ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae infections. The present study concluded that a comprehensive stewardship program will certainly reduce the mortality rate, as well as hospitalization stay and treatment costs. In general, our findings strongly support the performance of ASPs in healthcare centers.