RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 If it ain’t broke don’t fix it: Lack of review of antimicrobials in ‘well’ patients – time for a CRP change
JF Future Healthcare Journal
JO Future Healthc J
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP e92
OP e95
DO 10.7861/fhj.2019-0042
VO 8
IS 1
A1 Hill, Amanda
A1 Hamon, Eloise
A1 Nana, Melanie
A1 Price, Sian
A1 Craine, Noel
A1 Healy, Brendan
YR 2021
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/8/1/e92.abstract
AB Introduction The rising prevalence of multi-resistant organisms threatens the efficacy of current antimicrobial treatments. Antibiotic stewardship is a key factor in slowing the development of resistance and must become part of a clinician’s regular practice. National guidance unanimously emphasises the importance of a 48-hour review of antimicrobial prescriptions. We assessed the compliance of antibiotic reviews across two sites in Wales.Method Two cycles of data were retrospectively collected across two teaching hospitals in Wales prior and following introduction of an antimicrobial alert sticker. A univariate odds ratio for 48-hour referral stratified by C-reactive protein (CRP) was calculated in a logistic regression model for the cycle one data.Results One-hundred and thirty-nine patients were included in the cycle 1 data across both sites. We identified that patients with a CRP ≤100 mg/L (a marker of less severe infection) were less likely to have their antibiotic prescription reviewed by 48 hours.Discussion Patients with CRP ≤100 mg/L were less likely to receive a 48-hour review of their antimicrobial prescription. Compliance with review improved following introduction of a simple alert measure.