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Implementation of a Delayed Prescribing Model to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing for Suspected Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in a Hospital Outpatient Department, Ghana
| Content Provider | MDPI |
|---|---|
| Author | Ghebrehewet, Sam Shepherd, Wendi Panford-Quainoo, Edwin Shantikumar, Saran Decraene, Valerie Rajendran, Rajesh Kaushal, Menaal Akuffo, Afua Ayerh, Dinah Amofah, George |
| Copyright Year | 2020 |
| Description | Background: High levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Ghana require the exploration of new approaches to optimise antimicrobial prescribing. This study aims to establish the feasibility of implementation of different delayed/back-up prescribing models on antimicrobial prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Methods: This study was part of a quality improvement project at LEKMA Hospital, Ghana, (Dec 2019–Feb 2020). Patients meeting inclusion criteria were assigned to one of four groups (Group 0: No prescription given; Group 1; Patient received post-dated antibiotic prescription; Group 2: Offer of a rapid reassessment of patient by a nurse practitioner after 3 days; and Group 3: Post-dated prescription forwarded to hospital pharmacy). Patients were contacted 10 days afterwards to ascertain wellbeing and actions taken, and patients were asked rate the service on a Likert scale. Post-study informal discussions were conducted with hospital staff. Results: In total, 142 patients met inclusion criteria. Groups 0, 1, 2 and 3 had 61, 16, 44 and 21 patients, respectively. Common diagnosis was sore throat (73%). Only one patient took antibiotics after 3 days. Nearly all (141/142) patients were successfully contacted on day 10, and of these, 102 (72%) rated their experiences as good or very good. Informal discussions with staff revealed improved knowledge of AMR. Conclusions: Delayed/back-up prescribing can reduce antibiotic consumption amongst outpatient department patients with suspected URTIs. Delayed/back-up prescribing can be implemented safely in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). |
| Starting Page | 773 |
| e-ISSN | 20796382 |
| DOI | 10.3390/antibiotics9110773 |
| Journal | Antibiotics |
| Issue Number | 11 |
| Volume Number | 9 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Publisher Date | 2020-11-04 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Antibiotics Antimicrobial Resistance (amr) Antimicrobial Stewardship (ams) Delayed/back-up Prescribing Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Developing Countries Lmics Ghana |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
