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How can we optimise antifungal use in a solid organ transplant centre? Local epidemiology and antifungal stewardship implementation: A single‐centre study
Author(s) -
Mularoni Alessandra,
Adamoli Lucia,
Polidori Piera,
Ragonese Barbara,
Gioè Santi Mauro,
Pietrosi Astrid,
Tuzzolino Fabio,
Guadagnino Giuliana,
Monaco Francesco,
Grossi Paolo Antonio,
Conaldi Pier Giulio,
Luca Angelo,
Mikulska Malgorzata
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/myc.13098
Subject(s) - antifungal , fluconazole , medicine , medical prescription , dosing , intensive care medicine , epidemiology , pharmacology , dermatology
Purpose We aimed to implement and to assess the impact of the antifungal stewardship programme (AFSp) on prescription appropriateness of antifungals , management and outcomes of candidaemia patients, and antifungal consumption and costs at our solid organ transplant (SOT) institute. Methods Local epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) from 2009 to 2017 was analysed in order to prepare an effective AFSp, implemented in January 2018. It included suspension of empirical antifungal prescriptions after 72 hours (antifungal time‐out), automated alert and infectious disease (ID) consult for empirical prescriptions and for every patient with IFI, and indication for step‐down to oral fluconazole when possible. We used process measures and results measures to assess the effects of the implemented programme. Results The ASFp led to significant improvements in selection of the appropriate antifungal (40.5% in pre‐AFS vs 78.6% in post‐AFS), correct dosing (51.2% vs 79.8%), correct length of treatment (55.9% vs 75%) and better management of patients with candidaemia. Analysis of prescribed empirical antifungal revealed that defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 patient days decreased by 36.7% in 2018 compared to the average of pre‐AFSp period, with important savings in costs. Conclusion This AFSp led to a better use of antifungal drugs in terms of appropriateness and consumption, with stable clinical and microbiological outcomes in patients with IFI.