Exploring stakeholders' perspectives on antibiogram use, development, and implementation in residential aged care...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Antibiograms (cumulative-antimicrobial-susceptibility-tests) provide crucial local antibiotic resistance data.
• This data aids prescribers in selecting appropriate empirical antibiotic treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore stakeholder perceptions and knowledge regarding antibiograms in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).
• To identify barriers and enablers for developing and implementing antibiograms in RACFs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 20 aged-care health professionals and antibiogram content experts in Queensland, Australia (2023).
• Framework thematic analysis aligned with the 'Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services' framework.

Main Results:

• Identified themes revealed a lack of knowledge on antibiogram use and availability among end-users.
• Content experts cited insufficient data as a barrier to annual antibiograms.
• Proposed solutions include data pooling, extended data frequency, using local hospital antibiograms, and user-preferred data formats.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians acknowledge antibiograms' role in improving empirical antibiotic prescribing.
• Baseline knowledge assessment is key for targeted education on antibiogram use.
• Practical recommendations focus on presentation and uptake of antibiograms as antimicrobial stewardship tools in RACFs.