Identifying priorities to improve paediatric in-hospital antimicrobial use by cross-sectional evaluation of prevalence and appropriateness of prescription.

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin

Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas Pediátricas, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Coordinador por Pediatría del Programa para la Optimización del Uso de Antibióticos de la Unidad Pediátrica de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.

Published: November 2017

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study evaluated antimicrobial use in hospitalized children to identify improvement areas for prescribing practices.
  • A total of 171 pediatric patients were analyzed, with a prevalence of antimicrobial prescriptions at 49.7% and an appropriateness rate of 60.9%.
  • Common misuses included prolonged prescriptions and using broad-spectrum agents unnecessarily, highlighting the need for better antimicrobial stewardship in the hospital.

Article Abstract

Introduction: Information about paediatric in-hospital antimicrobial usage and prescribing patterns to guide improvement strategies is scant. We aim to use an evaluation of the prevalence and appropriateness of antimicrobial prescription to identify antimicrobial stewardship priorities in children.

Methods: A cross-sectional point study was performed on hospitalised paediatric patients in a Spanish tertiary hospital, assessing the prevalence of antimicrobial prescription (PAP) and appropriateness of antimicrobial prescription (AAP). AAP was defined as a correct indication plus an appropriate prescribing pattern (dose, spectrum and interval). Evaluation was performed using established antimicrobial guidelines. Other factors that may have a bearing on antimicrobial prescription were also analysed.

Results: A total of 171 patients were included. PAP was 49.7% (85/171) and AAP was 60.9% (91/161). The most common indications for antimicrobial use were antimicrobial prophylaxis (28.3%, 32/113) and pneumonia (8.2%, 8/113). Overall, 161 antimicrobials were prescribed (1.9 antimicrobials per patient): 55.3% (89/161) were empiric, 16.1% (26/161) were targeted and 28.6% (46/161) were prophylactic. Amoxicillin/clavulanate (8.2%, 14/171) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (8.2%, 14/171) were the most prescribed antimicrobials. The prescription of antifungals (11.7%, 20/171) and antivirals (1.8%, 3/171) was analysed. Major causes of inappropriate antibiotic use were prolonged prescriptions (21.7%, 35/161) and use of agents with an excessively broad coverage spectrum (21.1%, 34/161). PAP and AAP varied between wards and antimicrobials.

Conclusions: Measurement of PAP and AAP offers valuable information for detecting priorities in hospital settings and monitoring antimicrobial usage prior to the development of antimicrobial stewardship programmes. In our setting, the main areas for improvement are duration of therapy and proper use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eimc.2017.01.011DOI Listing

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