An initiative to improve
the prescribing of antibiotics for urinary tract infections resulted in
better-quality prescribing of first line antibiotics, although the number of
prescriptions also increased, according to new research carried out by NUI
Galway and Oxford University. The study was published 16 November 2015 in the
Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
The study involved 71 physicians, 30 general practitioners and 3,500 patients in Ireland (Galway city and county, and Roscommon). Overall, a 20% absolute increase in prescribing of antibiotics according to guidelines was observed in the intervention groups. However, general practitioners also increased overall prescribing of antibiotics for urinary tract infection.
DrAkke Vellinga, Epidemiologist in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health
Science at NUI Galway, and co-author of the study, said: “The increase in
overall prescribing of antibiotics for urinary tract infection was unexpected,
and it was not possible to conclude whether this was clinically appropriate or
an unwanted consequence. The SIMPle study improved the quality of antibiotic
prescribing through the use of audit reports and reminders. In a next step, the
quantity of antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infection will be
addressed.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deemed antibiotic resistance animmediate threat to world health. Overuse and overprescribing of antibiotics are major contributors to antibiotic-resistant diseases. Urinary tract infections are one of the most common illnesses for which antibiotics are prescribed. Efforts to curb overuse must involve patients, physicians and other health care workers, pharmaceutical companies and policy makers.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deemed antibiotic resistance animmediate threat to world health. Overuse and overprescribing of antibiotics are major contributors to antibiotic-resistant diseases. Urinary tract infections are one of the most common illnesses for which antibiotics are prescribed. Efforts to curb overuse must involve patients, physicians and other health care workers, pharmaceutical companies and policy makers.
To
view the SIMPle research video visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buyeYTt1uQs
For the authors Commentary visit:http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2015/11/16/cmaj.151103
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