Prevalence of antibiotic use in a tertiary care hospital in Italy, 2008-2016.

Background: Few data are available about temporal trends of antibiotic use in hospitalized children. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pattern and trends of antibiotic use over the years 2008-2016 in the largest children's hospital in Italy.

Methods: Annual point prevalence surveys of antibiotic use were conducted by reviewing medical charts of 0-17 year-old children hospitalized for ≥48 h.

Telemedicine as an effective intervention to improve antibiotic appropriateness prescription and to reduce costs in pediatrics.

Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship program is a pivotal practice element for healthcare institution. We developed a remote infectious disease consultancy program via telemedicine in a high-specialized pediatric cardiac hospital. A consultation for antibiotic strategy for each patient was available via telemedicine in addition to biweekly discussion of all clinical cases.