An antimicrobial stewardship program implemented at the University of Maryland Medical Center that used an antimicrobial monitoring team appeared to be highly cost-effective when measured at 7 years. The costs associated with dispensing antimicrobials decreased from $44,181 per 1,000 patient-days prior to program implementation to $23,933 at the end of the program. A reduction of about $3 million was observed in the first 3 years. The authors reported that this was most likely due to decreased use of antifungal agents in the cancer center.

Abstract:Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, April 2012.