Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Expression, Purification, and Antimicrobial Activity of S100A12
Published on: May 13, 2017
Establishing a baseline for a national paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme
C L Gibbons1, W Malcolm1, J Sneddon2
1Health Protection Scotland, National Services Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, UK.
Insights
Antimicrobial prescribing in Scottish pediatric inpatients occurred in 35.4% of cases. This data supports developing a national pediatric antimicrobial stewardship program to enhance prescribing quality and safety.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric infectious diseases
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Healthcare epidemiology
Background:
- Current antimicrobial stewardship programmes primarily target adult populations.
- There is a critical need for specialized paediatric antimicrobial stewardship to improve prescribing practices and patient safety.
- Paediatric populations require tailored approaches to antimicrobial use due to unique physiological and epidemiological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a baseline understanding of antimicrobial prescribing patterns in Scottish paediatric inpatients.
- To identify key areas for quality improvement within paediatric antimicrobial prescribing.
- To inform the development of a national paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme.
Main Methods:
- A national point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial prescribing was conducted in 2016.
- Data from 559 paediatric inpatients across Scotland were analyzed.
- Antimicrobial prescribing prevalence and characteristics were compared between specialist and acute hospital settings.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of antimicrobial use in paediatric inpatients was 35.4%.
- Community-acquired infections (47.1%) were the primary reason for prescribing, with clinical sepsis being the most common diagnosis.
- Gentamicin was the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial; prescribing was well-documented (86.5%) and largely compliant with local policy (92.9%).
Conclusions:
- National prevalence surveys provide valuable data for antimicrobial stewardship programme development.
- Significant differences in prescribing exist between specialist and acute paediatric hospital settings.
- The findings underscore the necessity for a targeted national paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme to optimize antimicrobial use.
Background:
The majority of antimicrobial stewardship programmes focus on prescribing in adult populations; however, there is a recognized need for targeted paediatric antimicrobial stewardship to improve the quality and safety of prescribing amongst this patient group.
Objectives:
To describe the current epidemiology of antimicrobial prescribing in paediatric inpatient populations in Scotland to establish a baseline of evidence and identify priority areas for quality improvement to support a national paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme.
Methods:
A total of 559 paediatric inpatients were surveyed during the Scottish national point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial prescribing, 2016. The prevalence of antimicrobial prescribing was calculated and characteristics of antimicrobial prescribing were described as proportions and compared between specialist hospitals and paediatric wards in acute hospitals.
Results:
Prevalence of antimicrobial use in paediatric inpatients was 35.4% (95% CI = 31.6%-39.4%). Treatment of community- and hospital-acquired infections accounted for 47.1% and 20.7% of antimicrobial use, respectively, with clinical sepsis being the most common diagnosis and gentamicin the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial for the treatment of infection. The reason for prescribing was documented in the notes for 86.5% of all prescriptions and, of those assessed for compliance against local policy, 92.9% were considered compliant.
Conclusions:
Data from national prevalence surveys are advantageous when developing antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Results have highlighted differences in the prescribing landscape between paediatric inpatient populations in specialist hospitals and acute hospitals, and have informed priorities for the national antimicrobial stewardship programme, which reinforces the need for a targeted paediatric antimicrobial stewardship programme.
Related Concept Videos
01:26National Nursing Organizations I
01:30National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
01:23Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
01:16Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy