Antimicrobial stewardship: Improving antibiotic prescribing practice in a respiratory ward.

ABSTRACT: International efforts have mandated guidelines on antibiotic use and prescribing, therefore the focus is now on encouraging positive behavioral changes in antibiotic prescribing practice. Documentation of indication and intended duration of antibiotic use in drug charts is an evidence-based method of reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. It is also a standard detailed in our local antimicrobial guidelines. We collected baseline data on compliance with documentation of indication and duration in drug charts in a respiratory ward which revealed compliance rates of 24% and 39% respectively. We introduced interventions to improve accessibility to the guideline and to increase awareness by distributing antibiotic guardian pocket cards with a three-point checklist and strategically-plac

SUBMITTER: Yeo JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4752714 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature