Proper use of carbapenems: Role of the infectious disease specialist

Med Mal Infect. 2016 Feb;46(1):10-3. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2015.11.008. Epub 2015 Dec 14.

Abstract

Objective: One of the objectives of the French national plan on antibiotics is to preserve antibiotic effectiveness. A group of infectious disease specialists of the University hospital of Bordeaux aimed to monitor the prescriptions of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Particular attention was paid to carbapenem (CBP) prescriptions given the increase in betalactamase- and carbapenemase-producing bacteria.

Patients and methods: We carried out a three-step Professional Practice Evaluation (PPE): evaluation of CBP prescriptions made at the hospital between January and June 2013; CBP prescription training for prescribers; and another evaluation of CBP prescriptions between January and June 2014.

Results: Although the number of admissions remained stable between the two evaluation periods, CBP prescriptions decreased by 16%. The mean treatment duration was stable (9.6 days). Physicians asked for the infectious disease specialist's advice for 82% of CBP prescriptions in 2013 and for 83% in 2014. The number of case patients discussed at the multidisciplinary staff meetings for approval of CBP prescriptions increased from 16% in 2013 to 39% in 2014. Antibiotic de-escalation increased by 61% between the two periods.

Conclusion: Professional Practice Evaluation, supervised by an infectious disease specialist, is a useful addition to weekly multidisciplinary staff meetings to improve CBP prescription.

Keywords: Antibiotic stewardship; Bon usage des antibiotiques; Carbapenems; Carbapénèmes; Infectious disease specialist; Référent en infectiologie.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Bacterial Proteins / analysis
  • Carbapenems / administration & dosage*
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology
  • Diagnosis-Related Groups
  • Drug Prescriptions / statistics & numerical data
  • Drug Utilization
  • Education, Medical, Continuing
  • France
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499
  • Hospitals, University / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / prevention & control*
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / statistics & numerical data
  • Infectious Disease Medicine*
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Medical Audit
  • Medical Staff, Hospital
  • Physician's Role*
  • Professional Practice
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
  • beta-Lactam Resistance
  • beta-Lactamases / analysis

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carbapenems
  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase