The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) hosted its November 2024 ground rounds in alignment with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). Themed “Educate, Advocate, Act Now,” the event underscored the need for an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and revealed findings from a global hospital-wide point prevalence survey.
Professor Ngozi Ekeke, the program coordinator, welcomed participants, emphasizing the goal of addressing community challenges and providing actionable solutions. She highlighted the critical role of antimicrobial agents in combating harmful microbes.
Dr. Mary Alex-Wele, focal person for UPTH’s Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC), shared antimicrobial stewardship statistics from the United Nations and data from hospital departmental surveys. She emphasized the importance of stewardship programs in reducing antimicrobial resistance and enhancing patient outcomes.
A microbiology consultant, Dr. Emeka Eyidia, presented the benefits of automation in diagnostic stewardship, explaining how it improves accuracy, reduces human error, and shortens turnaround timesโcritical for modern healthcare.
Dr. Chizaram Onyeaghala, an infectious disease physician, discussed diagnostic stewardship approaches, distinguishing between empirical and targeted therapy. He outlined the responsibilities of the diagnostic stewardship committee, including developing quality management protocols, training staff, and ensuring proper specimen testing. Dr. Onyeaghala stressed collaboration among healthcare professionals to avoid unnecessary tests and enhance diagnostic precision.
Nurse Ube Ijeoma focused on infection prevention and control (IPC), highlighting it as the most effective strategy against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She emphasized the protection IPC measures offer to both patients and healthcare workers, advocating for adherence to best practices across healthcare settings.
Concluding the event, Professor Bashiru Brimo, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Research, Innovation, and Grants), thanked attendees and urged the development of evidence-based guidelines to support effective patient management. The event reaffirmed UPTH’s dedication to antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship, fostering collaboration and innovation to combat AMR and improve healthcare delivery.
