OBJECTIVES: To study compliance with national guidelines for carbapenem (CP) use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a two-year prospective monocentric and interventional study in a French university hospital. The study was based on three phases (observation (P1), intervention (P2), and post-intervention (P3)) and ended 10 months after intervention. Compliance of CP prescriptions was based on predetermined criteria. RESULTS: Among the 330 prescriptions assessed, treatment adequacy on Day 3 increased from 32.3 % (n = 42/130) during phase P1 to 72.2 % (n = 70/97) during phase P3 (p <
0.01), with a significant impact on indications, dosage, and duration of treatment but not on CP choice. There were no significant changes in overall CP consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an educational antimicrobial stewardship program for hospital CP proper use had a positive impact. Educational reminders are essential to support these improvements.