Multifaceted intervention for improving antimicrobial prescription at discharge in the emergency department

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Infectious Disease Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health threat.
• Antimicrobials are frequently prescribed upon emergency department discharge.
• Optimizing antimicrobial prescribing is crucial to combat resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a multifaceted intervention on antimicrobial prescribing practices in an emergency department.
• To reduce the rate of antimicrobial prescriptions at discharge.
• To improve the appropriateness of antimicrobial selection.

Main Methods:

• A 1-year multifaceted intervention was implemented in an emergency department.
• The intervention focused on modifying physicians' prescribing behavior.
• Prescription rates and appropriateness were monitored before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• The mean monthly antimicrobial prescription rate at discharge significantly decreased.
• The proportion of appropriate antimicrobial prescriptions increased.
• The intervention demonstrated success in optimizing antimicrobial use.

Conclusions:

• Multifaceted interventions can effectively modify physician prescribing behavior in emergency departments.
• Optimizing antimicrobial prescribing is achievable and contributes to antimicrobial stewardship.
• These findings support the implementation of similar strategies in other healthcare settings.