Hospital physicians' experiences with procalcitonin - implications for antimicrobial stewardship; a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Procalcitonin is an inflammatory biomarker that is sensitive for bacterial infections and a promising clinical decision aid in antimicrobial stewardship programs. However, there are few studies of physicians' experiences concerning the use of PCT. The objective of this study was to investigate whether hospital physicians' experience with procalcitonin after 18 months of use can inform the PCT implementation in antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Materials/methods

We deployed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 14 hospital physicians who had experience with procalcitonin in clinical practice. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Physicians reported a knowledge gap, which made

SUBMITTER: Christensen I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7364625 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature