Factors associated with antimicrobial choice for surgical prophylaxis in Australia.

Background: Cefazolin is the most commonly recommended antimicrobial for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP). However, the Australian Surgical National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey revealed a wide range of antimicrobials prescribed for SAP. Inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials is associated with increased patient harm and is a posited driver for antimicrobial resistance.

Identifying targets for improvement using a nationally standardized survey: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery.

Background: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is commonly administered in orthopedic procedures. Research regarding SAP appropriateness for specific orthopedic procedures is limited and is required to facilitate targeted orthopedic prescriber behavior change.

Objectives: To describe SAP prescribing and appropriateness for orthopedic procedures in Australian hospitals.

Antibiotic prescribing in surgery: A clinically and socially complex problem in Australia.

Surgical prophylaxis is a common indication for antimicrobial use in Australian hospitals with demonstrated poor rates of appropriateness. Ongoing analysis of the Surgical National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey and exploration of influences on antimicrobial prescribing decisions can help identify clinical and behavioural issues that contribute to problematic antimicrobial use. Triangulation of quantitative and qualitiatve data supports the development of surgical antimicrobial stewardship, i.

Influences on surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis decision making by surgical craft groups, anaesthetists, pharmacists and nurses in public and private hospitals.

Background: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is a leading indication for antibiotic use in the hospital setting, with demonstrated high rates of inappropriateness. Decision-making for SAP is complex and multifactorial. A greater understanding of these factors is needed to inform the design of targeted antimicrobial stewardship interventions and strategies to support the optimization of SAP and its impacts on patient care.

Evaluating the implementability of Antibiotic Surgical Prophylaxis guidelines.

Background: Current Australian data highlight guideline noncompliant prescribing of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis. The study aim was to evaluate the implementability of the Australian national surgical prophylaxis (SAP) guidelines to identify facilitators for and barriers to compliance.

Methods: Key stakeholders appraised the surgical prophylaxis guidelines using the GuideLine Implementability Appraisal (GLIA) tool.