Aoife Fleming1, Antonella Tonna2, Síle O'Connor3, Stephen Byrne4, Derek Stewart2. 1. Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. a.fleming@ucc.ie. 2. School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Riverside East, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, AB10 7G, Scotland, UK. 3. Pharmacy Department, Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. 4. Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Best practice guidelines recommend that a multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Management Team (AMT) conduct antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in hospitals. In order to continuously improve AMS activities in Irish hospitals it is important to benchmark performance by comparison with other countries. OBJECTIVE: To compare the membership of AMTs and AMS activities conducted in Irish and United Kingdom (UK) hospitals. METHODS: A postal questionnaire to determine the membership and activities of AMTs was issued to the specialist antimicrobial pharmacist or pharmacist in charge at all Irish Hospitals and all UK National Health Service Hospitals. The membership of AMTs and the extent of AMS activities conducted were compared between the countries. RESULTS: The response rates to the surveys were 73% (n = 51) in Ireland and 33% in the UK (n = 273). 57% of Irish respondents reported having an AMT compared to 82% in the UK (p < 0.001). Significantly more AMTs in the UK had a specialist antimicrobial pharmacist on the team (95% UK, 69% Ireland, p < 0.001). A higher proportion of Irish respondents reported measuring the overall volume of antimicrobial prescribing (Ireland 85%, UK 72%, p = 0.057). A higher proportion of UK respondents reported measuring the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing (76% UK, 58% Ireland, p = 0.019) and the appropriateness of restricted antimicrobial prescribing (64% UK, 52% Ireland, p = 0.140). CONCLUSION: Irish and UK AMTs need to be supported to recruit and retain specialist antimicrobial pharmacists and to achieve higher rates of audit, prescription appropriateness review and feedback activities.
BACKGROUND: Best practice guidelines recommend that a multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Management Team (AMT) conduct antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in hospitals. In order to continuously improve AMS activities in Irish hospitals it is important to benchmark performance by comparison with other countries. OBJECTIVE: To compare the membership of AMTs and AMS activities conducted in Irish and United Kingdom (UK) hospitals. METHODS: A postal questionnaire to determine the membership and activities of AMTs was issued to the specialist antimicrobial pharmacist or pharmacist in charge at all Irish Hospitals and all UK National Health Service Hospitals. The membership of AMTs and the extent of AMS activities conducted were compared between the countries. RESULTS: The response rates to the surveys were 73% (n = 51) in Ireland and 33% in the UK (n = 273). 57% of Irish respondents reported having an AMT compared to 82% in the UK (p < 0.001). Significantly more AMTs in the UK had a specialist antimicrobial pharmacist on the team (95% UK, 69% Ireland, p < 0.001). A higher proportion of Irish respondents reported measuring the overall volume of antimicrobial prescribing (Ireland 85%, UK 72%, p = 0.057). A higher proportion of UK respondents reported measuring the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing (76% UK, 58% Ireland, p = 0.019) and the appropriateness of restricted antimicrobial prescribing (64% UK, 52% Ireland, p = 0.140). CONCLUSION: Irish and UK AMTs need to be supported to recruit and retain specialist antimicrobial pharmacists and to achieve higher rates of audit, prescription appropriateness review and feedback activities.
Authors: Magdalena Rzewuska; Eilidh M Duncan; Jill J Francis; Andrew M Morris; Kathryn N Suh; Peter G Davey; Jeremy M Grimshaw; Craig R Ramsay Journal: Front Sociol Date: 2020-07-08