"Antibiotic hardstop" on electronic prescribing: impact on antimicrobial stewardship initiatives in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and infective exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (IECOPD).

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a major public health threat and the exploration of interventions which may reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use are of particular interest. An Antibiotic Hardstop (AH) was included within the eMeds system introduced to the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) in 2018. The function allows prescribers to set a predetermined time at which antibiotic orders would cease.

Comparison of different sepsis scoring systems and pathways: qSOFA, SIRS, Shapiro criteria and CEC SEPSIS KILLS pathway in bacteraemic and non-bacteraemic patients presenting to the emergency department.

Background: Bacteraemia is associated with high morbidity and mortality, with delayed antibiotic treatment associated with poorer outcomes. Early identification is challenging, but clinically important. Multiple scoring systems have been developed to identify individuals in the broader categories of sepsis.

Clinical impact of rapid diagnostics using Xpert Flu/RSV™ PCR on antimicrobial stewardship initiatives during influenza season.

Background: Despite the availability of several rapid Influenza tests (RIT), the literature on its impact on antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMS) is minimal. Studies utilising rapid point of care tests (POCT) have shown benefit in terms of shortening antimicrobial therapy and prescriptions of antivirals. We designed this study to assess whether RIT had an impact on antibiotic cessation.