Developing an intervention package to optimise the management of vancomycin therapy using theory informed co-design

Optimising the management of vancomycin by achieving target therapeutic concentrations early during therapy has been associated with reduced mortality and morbidity. Despite the availability of guidelines and training, the management of vancomycin remains suboptimal.

The primary outcome was the development of interventions and associated implementation strategies to optimise the management of vancomycin therapy. This paper describes how co-design process was used to build a theory informed intervention package, which was implemented across a wide range of in-patient hospital settings in Queensland, Australia.

This multiple methods study was conducted in four phases: 1) a baseline audit to identify the nature of the problem and associated determinants informed by stakeholder interviews 2) mapping these findings to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify behavioural correlates and modifiers 3) prioritising the behavioural modifiers and associated implementation strategies to inform a protype of the intervention in a series of co-design sessions and 4) implementing and evaluating the intervention package. The study was conducted across the four teaching hospitals in a large Queensland Hospital and Health Service across multiple healthcare disciplines namely nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. This intervention package was subsequently implemented across Queensland Health with the support of the local champions under the guidance of the steering group.

Clinicians identified that a multifaceted intervention package and training which can be tailored to the health-care professional disciplines, would be best suited to shift clinician behaviour to align with guidelines. The findings from the co-design process aligned with theory-informed intervention package. Each of the intervention strategies varied in their frequency and popularity of use.

The use of theory-informed and participatory approach assisted with the intervention development process and aligned the intervention content with the priorities of stakeholders. The TDF provided a structured process for developing intervention content which is both acceptable and useful to stakeholders and may improve the management of vancomycin.