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Antimicrobial stewardship in Australian emergency departments
Author(s) -
Welch Susan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.12448
Subject(s) - medicine , antimicrobial stewardship , specialty , emergency department , antimicrobial , family medicine , pharmacist , antibiotic resistance , nursing , pharmacy , antibiotics , chemistry , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Objective The present study aims to determine and describe the involvement of A ustralian EDs in antimicrobial stewardship ( AMS ) and the role of E mergency M edicine P harmacists ( EMP s). Methods A S urveymonkey® questionnaire was devised, piloted and distributed to all members of the S ociety of H ospital P harmacists of A ustralia C ommittee of S pecialty P ractice EM via the online discussion forum and email distribution list. Results There were 41 respondents, 35 (85%) of which had an EMP at their hospital. Of respondents, 30 (73%) were EMP , nine were involved in ED and wanted to contribute to the survey and two were neither. Thirty‐four (83%) had a hospital AMS programme. All other questions had 29 respondents. Twenty‐three of 29 (79%) had an AMS committee, and 14/23 (61%) had an ED representation. Twenty‐eight of 29 (97%) had a restricted antimicrobial policy. Twenty‐one of 29 (72%) had a specialist AMS pharmacist, and 12/21 (57%) were involved in the ED . Eleven of 29 (37%) had ED ‐specific antimicrobial guidelines. A variety of electronic AMS support is available in EDs . EDs had access to a hospital antibiogram (6) and used it to inform AMS . Point prevalence surveys often involved the ED . EMP s were involved with antimicrobial education via ward rounds (6) and didactic sessions (7), guideline development (4), and monitoring of ED antimicrobial prescribing, 21/29 (72%). Multiple ways of controlling ED antimicrobials were used including: providing a limited range of after‐hours antimicrobials, predetermined trauma packs, review of ED stock and follow up of restricted antimicrobials. Fourteen of 29 (48%) had conducted ED antimicrobial drug use evaluations. Conclusion The ED can be a focus for AMS and is at many sites surveyed. The EMP can provide an important role in this programme.