Lesley Hawes1, Lyle Turner2, Kirsty Buising3, Danielle Mazza4. 1. BSc (Hons), GCUT, MPH, MASM, PhD Fellow, Department of General Practice, Monash University; and National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Melbourne, Vic. Lesley.Hawes@monash.edu 2. BSc (Hons), PhD, Manager, Data and Research Unit, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Qld; Department of General Practice, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3. MBBS, MD, MPH, FRACP, Deputy Director, National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship; Infectious diseases physician, Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Vic 4. MD, MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, Grad Dip Women’s Health, GAICD, Head, Department of General Practice, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University; Conjoint Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle; Fellow, Society of Family Planning, USA; National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The computerised medical records of general practice patients can inform our understanding of antibiotic prescribing and assist in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). The aim of this study was to describe Australian general practitioner (GP) antibiotic prescribing patterns using data extracted from electronic medical records (EMR). METHOD: A descriptive analysis of patient records from 44 general practices, between 2010 and 2014, in the eastern region of metropolitan Melbourne was undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 615,362 antibiotic prescriptions, cefalexin, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, roxithromycin, doxycycline and clarithromycin were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics. Except for cefalexin, prescribing rates of the antibiotics increased in winter. Of 472,197 patients consulting a GP in one of these practices, 34.8% received an antibiotic at some point over the five years. There was a higher rate of prescribing per consultation in patients aged <20 years. DISCUSSION: This study shows that it is possible to examine EMR for antibiotic prescriptions, and that a descriptive analysis can identify AMS targets.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The computerised medical records of general practice patients can inform our understanding of antibiotic prescribing and assist in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). The aim of this study was to describe Australian general practitioner (GP) antibiotic prescribing patterns using data extracted from electronic medical records (EMR). METHOD: A descriptive analysis of patient records from 44 general practices, between 2010 and 2014, in the eastern region of metropolitan Melbourne was undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 615,362 antibiotic prescriptions, cefalexin, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, roxithromycin, doxycycline and clarithromycin were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics. Except for cefalexin, prescribing rates of the antibiotics increased in winter. Of 472,197 patients consulting a GP in one of these practices, 34.8% received an antibiotic at some point over the five years. There was a higher rate of prescribing per consultation in patients aged <20 years. DISCUSSION: This study shows that it is possible to examine EMR for antibiotic prescriptions, and that a descriptive analysis can identify AMS targets.
Authors: Yael Rachamin; Levy Jäger; Rahel Meier; Thomas Grischott; Oliver Senn; Jakob M Burgstaller; Stefan Markun Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2022-02-14 Impact factor: 5.810
Authors: Rae-Anne Hardie; Gorkem Sezgin; Chisato Imai; Emma Gault; Precious McGuire; Muhammad Kashif Sheikh; Christopher Pearce; Tony Badrick; Andrew Georgiou Journal: BJGP Open Date: 2022-03-22