Minimum antibiotic stewardship measures.

An ESCMID study group on antibiotic policies (ESGAP) was formed in 1998. Several subgroups have been formed to develop key strategy in various aspects of antibiotic stewardship. Sub group III was formed to lead on antibiotic stewardship in European hospitals. This article is a final version of guidelines that have been developed by the group through internet discussion. A provisional version has been posted on the ESGAP section of ESCMID's website. Some important aspects of community antibiotic use have also been included.