Publication
Title
Indications for antimicrobial prescribing in European nursing homes : results from a point prevalence survey
Author
Institution/Organisation
European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption Project Group
Abstract
Purpose In light of the emerging problem with multiresistant microorganisms in nursing homes (NHs), the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption NH subproject was set up to measure and describe antimicrobial use across Europe. The aim of this paper was to investigate the indications for antimicrobial use and hence identify targets for quality improvement. Methods Data were obtained from a point prevalence survey conducted in 323 NHs across 21 European countries. A resident questionnaire had to be completed for each resident receiving an antimicrobial, collecting data such as compound name and indication for antimicrobial prescribing. Four main indications for antimicrobial use were recorded: nasal decolonisation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage with mupirocin, prophylactic, empirical, and microbiologically documented treatments. The latter three treatment types were further subdivided according to the targeted infections. Results In total, 1966 residents were treated with 2046 antimicrobials. Empirical treatments were most common (54.4% of all antimicrobial therapies; prevalence: 3.39 per 100 eligible residents), followed by prophylactic (28.8%; prevalence: 1.87%) and microbiologically documented (16.1%; prevalence: 1.01%) regimes. MRSA decolonisation with nasal mupirocin (0.7%; prevalence: 0.02%) was uncommon. Antimicrobials were most frequently prescribed for the prevention or treatment of urinary (49.5%; prevalence: 3.23%) and respiratory (31.8%; prevalence: 1.81%) tract infections. A very high proportion of uroprophylaxis was reported (25.6% of all prescribed antimicrobials; prevalence: 1.67%). Conclusions The indications for antimicrobial prescribing varied markedly between countries. We identified uroprophylaxis as a possible target for quality improvement.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. - Chichester, 1992, currens
Publication
Chichester : 2012
ISSN
1053-8569
DOI
10.1002/PDS.3196
Volume/pages
21 :9 (2012) , p. 937-944
ISI
000308295000004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 25.04.2012
Last edited 28.01.2024
To cite this reference