Reliance on Clinical Signs and Symptoms Assessment Leads to Misuse of Antimicrobials: Post hoc Analysis of 350 Chronic Wounds.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Bacteria frequently impede wound healing and cause infection. Clinicians rely on clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) to assess for bacteria at the point of care, and inform prescription of antibiotics and other antimicrobials. Yet, robust evidence suggests that CSS has poor sensitivity for detection of problematic bacterial burden and infection, hindering antimicrobial stewardship efforts. This study evaluated CSS-based antimicrobial prescribing practices across 14 wound care centers. Approach: Data were analyzed from the fluorescence assessment and guidance (FLAAG) trial, a study of 350 chronic wounds across 20 clinicians. Clinicians reviewed patient history and assessed for CSS using the International Wound Infection Institute infection checklist. Wounds with >3 c

SUBMITTER: Serena TE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9527054 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature