The culture of communication in the antimicrobial program in Brazilian pediatric intensive care<i>.</i>

Background and Objectives: Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) are essential for optimizing the use of antimicrobials and combating bacterial resistance. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ASPs in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Methods: This multicenter study, conducted in 219 Brazilian hospitals, used a validated form to collect information on antimicrobial use shared with healthcare professionals. The characteristics of the services were analyzed according to their location, level of adherence to ASP actions, and the feedback activities offered to PICU staff. Results: The overall implementation level of ASPs in hospitals was considered intermediate, with an average score of 72.46 (±37.60). PICU behavior varied significantly among states. Some states had more survey responses, some had higher hospital adherence, and some excelled in disseminating ASP results. Some institutions were found to have stronger feedback strategies, with most adopting organized institutional actions and approximately half offering personalized actions for prescribers and other professionals. However, several opportunities for improvement were identified.Conclusion: The observed imbalance among the analyzed scenarios reveals the urgent need to strengthen the culture of disseminating results, improve the methods used, and increase adherence to ASPs in Brazilian PICUs.