Skip to content

Freiburg Hospital Cuts Antibiotic Use While Treating More Patients

A 15-year effort shows hospitals *can* win the battle against superbugs. The secret? Expert oversight, digital tools, and relentless precision in prescribing.

In the picture there is a poster with the text, behind there are many bottles present on the...
In the picture there is a poster with the text, behind there are many bottles present on the shelves.

Freiburg Hospital Cuts Antibiotic Use While Treating More Patients

Antibiotic resistance remains a pressing health threat, with nearly 45,000 deaths in Germany linked to multidrug-resistant infections in 2019 alone. Against this backdrop, Freiburg University Medical Center has managed to reduce its antibiotic use—even as case numbers climb. The hospital’s long-running Antibiotic Stewardship program is now yielding measurable results.

The University Medical Center Freiburg has worked for over 15 years to improve antibiotic prescribing. Its Antibiotic Stewardship program, expanded in 2023, now involves specialised teams reviewing around 3,000 treatment cases annually. These experts assess dosage, duration, and drug choice to align with medical guidelines.

Freiburg’s approach demonstrates how structured programs can curb unnecessary antibiotic use. With digital support, expert guidance, and strict protocols, the hospital has lowered consumption while treating more patients. Leaders continue to stress that responsible prescribing is critical to slowing resistance worldwide.

Read also: