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Published on: October 29, 2020
Optimizing use of ciprofloxacin: a prospective intervention study.
Babette C van Hees1, Erica de Ruiter, Ed H Wiltink
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. b.van.hees@antonius.net
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|November 6, 2007
Summary
Educational intervention significantly reduced ciprofloxacin prescriptions by over 60% and improved prescription quality. This highlights the impact of medical microbiologist collaboration on antimicrobial stewardship.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Medical Microbiology
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance to ciprofloxacin necessitates strategies to optimize its use.
- Inappropriate prescribing of ciprofloxacin contributes to resistance and increased healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To decrease inappropriate ciprofloxacin prescriptions.
- To enhance the quality of ciprofloxacin prescribing through targeted educational interventions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective intervention study was conducted in five hospital departments with high ciprofloxacin prescription rates.
- Prescription quantity and quality were assessed pre- and post-intervention, with ongoing follow-up.
- Educational presentations and direct consultations with a medical microbiologist were implemented.
Main Results:
- Ciprofloxacin prescriptions dropped by 60.5% post-intervention (81 to 32 per 1000 admissions).
- Appropriate prescriptions increased significantly, with a sustained 71.3% reduction from baseline by follow-up.
- Medical microbiologist consultations and education led to a 3-4 fold sustained reduction in ciprofloxacin use.
Conclusions:
- Direct consultation and educational initiatives by medical microbiologists effectively reduced ciprofloxacin use and improved prescription quality.
- Close collaboration between clinicians and medical microbiologists is crucial for effective antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals.
- The study demonstrates a successful model for promoting prudent hospital use of antimicrobial agents.
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