Surveillance of antibiotics use in a community hospital.

An ongoing system of antibiotic surveillance was initiated in a community hospital. The system was based on the guideline audits of antimicrobial use published by the Veterans Administration Ad Hoc Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Drug Usage. The surveillance is accepted well by the medical staff. It has proved to be cost-effective and educational. A changing pattern of antimicrobial drug use has been recognized that has resulted in decreased antimicrobial drug costs.