Nationwide Survey of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Korean Hospitals: Insights From the Early Stage of the 2024 National Pilot Implementation

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) are essential for optimising antibiotic use and mitigating antimicrobial resistance. In Korea, antimicrobial consumption exceeds the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average, and ASP activities remain fragmented, particularly in smaller hospitals. In November 2024, the National Health Insurance Service introduced a pilot reimbursement scheme to support ASPs in hospitals with ≥ 300 beds. This study aimed to provide baseline data to evaluate its impact.