Antibiotic Stewardship in Nursing Facilities

Nurses' Anxiety Mediates the Relationship between Clinical Tolerance to Uncertainty and Antibiotic Initiation Decisions in Residential Aged-Care Facilities

HIGHLIGHTS

The impact of non-clinical factors (e.g., resident and family preferences) on prescribing is well-established. There is a gap in the literature regarding the mechanisms through which these preferences are experienced as pressure by prescribers within the unique context of residential aged-care facilities (RACFs).A significant relationship was found between nurses' anxiety, clinical tolerance of uncertainty, and the perceived need for antibiotics and assessment.As such, there is a need to expand stewardship beyond education alone to include interventions that help nurses manage uncertainty and anxiety and include other stakeholders (e.g., family members) when making clinical decisions in the RACF setting.

What influences antibiotic initiation? Developing a scale to measure nursing behaviour in residential aged-care facilities

AIM

The purpose of the current study was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of a measure that captures nursing behaviours that have the potential to influence the initiation of antibiotics in residential aged-care facilities.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional online survey.

METHOD

One hundred and fifty-seven nurses completed an online survey. The survey consisted of two clinical vignettes and measures of tolerance of uncertainty and anxiety. The vignettes consisted of the most common presentations (urinary tract infections and upper respiratory tract infections) of two hypothetical residents in aged-care facilities. The vignettes provided participants with incremental information with varying levels of symptoms, input from other people and availability of test results. Both vignettes were subjected to exploratory factor analysis.

RESULTS

The results focus on the 16 items in the second vignette which resulted in the extraction of three factors. The derived factors were labelled as follows: (i) Noting and Calling GP, (ii) Consult a Colleague and (iii) Immediate Assessment and Antibiotics. Reliability analysis revealed excellent to satisfactory reliability. All three scales were significantly correlated with measures of clinical tolerance of uncertainty, and the 'noting and calling GP' scale was also negatively correlated with measures of anxiety and general tolerance of uncertainty. The measure showed satisfactory reliability and validity for capturing nursing behaviours that have the potential to influence decisions regarding antibiotics. As such, the current study provides a first step towards addressing the lack of ecologically valid measures that capture the complex and nuanced context of nurses' behaviours in RACF that have the potential to inform future stewardship interventions.

Clinicians who primarily practice in nursing homes and outcomes among residents with urinary tract infection or pneumonia

Objective

Assess the association between clinicians who primarily practice in nursing homes (NHs) and 14-day resident outcomes following initial antibiotic dispensing for pneumonia or urinary tract infection (UTI).

Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

U.S. NHs.

Participants

NH residents aged ≥65 years who were prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia or UTI between 1 January 2016 and 30 November 2018.

Methods

Medicare fee-for-service claims were linked to Minimum Data Set data. Clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs prescribed ≥90% of Part D dispensings to NH residents. Outcomes included death, all-cause and infection-specific hospitalization, and subsequent antibiotic dispensing. Adjusted risk ratios were estimated using inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighted (IPTW) modified Poisson regression models adjusting for 53 covariates.

Results

The study population included 28,826 resident-years who were prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia and 106,354 resident-years who were prescribed antibiotics for UTI. Among the pneumonia group, clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs were associated with a greater risk of death (RR 1.3; 95%CLs 1.0, 1.6), lower risks of all-cause (RR 0.9; 95%CLs 0.8, 0.9) and infection-specific hospitalization (RR 0.8; 95%CLs 0.7, 0.9), and similar risk of subsequent antibiotic dispensing (RR 1.0; 95%CLs 1.0, 1.1) after IPTW. No meaningful associations were observed between clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs and outcomes among the UTI group.

Conclusions

Clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs were associated with a lower risk of hospitalization but greater risk of mortality for NH residents with pneumonia. Further examination is needed to better understand drivers of differences in infection-related outcomes based on clinicians' training and primary practice setting.

Antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections among older adults living in long-term care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), and this contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to determine the antibiotic prescribing rate for RTIs among LTCF residents, and to analyse the antibiotic consumption patterns with the AwaRe monitoring tool, developed by the World Health Organization.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched from inception to March 2022. Original articles reporting antibiotic use for RTIs in LTCFs were included in this review. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Data. A random-effects meta-analysis was employed to calculate the pooled estimates. Subgroup analysis was conducted by type of RTI, country, and study start year.

RESULTS

In total, 47 articles consisting of 50 studies were included. The antibiotic prescribing rate ranged from 21.5% to 100% (pooled estimate 69.8%, 95% confidence interval 55.2-82.6%). The antibiotic prescribing rate for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) was higher than the rates for viral and general RTIs. Compared with Italy, France and the USA, the Netherlands had lower antibiotic use for LRTIs. A proportion of viral RTIs were treated with antibiotics, and all the antibiotics were from the Watch group. Use of antibiotics in the Access group was higher in the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Slovenia compared with the USA and Australia.

CONCLUSION

The antibiotic prescribing rate for RTIs in LTCFs was high, and AWaRe antibiotic use patterns varied by type of RTI and country. Improving antibiotic use may require coordination efforts.

How do aged-care staff feel about antimicrobial stewardship? A systematic review of staff attitudes in long-term residential aged-care

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a problem in residential aged care facilities (RACF). There is a gap in our understanding of how psychosocial barriers such as risk perceptions shape staff attitudes towards antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). We sought to ascertain the attitudinal domains that have been identified to be of importance to AMS in RACF and comment on how they have been measured empirically. Our aim was to consolidate what is known regarding staff attitudes and perceptions in order to inform future stewardship.

Method

We searched PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus databases for primary studies of healthcare workers attitudes to AMS in RACF (1990-February 2021).

Results

14 Studies were included in the review, within which 10 domains were identified: attitudes towards antimicrobial prescribing; guidelines; educational interventions; self-confidence regarding clinical assessment and prescribing; awareness of AMR as a problem and stewardship as a priority; self-efficacy; perception of role; perception of risk; team culture and resident/family members expectations. 46 measures were developed across the 14 studies to measure the 10 domains. The variability in the attitudinal domains and how these domains were measured was large. Only 13% included psychometric data regarding reliability and/or internal consistency.

Conclusions

Attitudes are generally defined as having three evaluative bases: cognitive, behavioural, and affective. Findings from the current review suggest that the measures commonly used to capture healthcare staff attitudes to AMS do not sufficiently capture affect; particularly with respect to staff’s risk perceptions, perceptions of their role, and family members’ expectations. Given that affective processes have been postulated to influence medical decision making, these findings highlight the importance of understanding how staff, especially nurses feel about implementing AMS strategies and other peoples’ (e.g. residents and their families) perceptions of stewardship. It is expected that a more nuanced understanding of RACF nurses affective experiences when applying AMS, and their perceptions of the risks entailed, will help in reducing barriers to overprescribing antibiotics.

Modified reporting of positive urine cultures to reduce treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in long-term care facilities: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives

We conducted a prospective, randomized, unblinded superiority trial of the safety and efficacy of modified reporting of positive urine cultures to improve the appropriateness of treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Methods

Consecutive positive urine cultures collected from LTCF patients were randomized between standard (identification and susceptibility) or modified (without identification and susceptibility) laboratory reports. Exclusion criteria were current antibiotic treatment, neutropenia, or transfer to acute care. The diagnosis of UTI or ASB was made prospectively.

Results

One hundred and sixty-nine urine cultures were considered, 100 were randomized and included in ITT analysis, and 96 were included in PP analysis. Sixty-two out of 100 (62%) patients had ASB [41/62 (66%) treated] and 38/100 (38%) had UTI [35/38 (92%) treated]. The lab was called to report the identification and susceptibility in 31/51 (61%) modified reports. The rate of appropriate treatment was higher in the modified report arm: 31/51 (61%) versus 25/49 (51%) (+10%, P = 0.33). Untreated ASB was higher in the modified report arm: 13/32 (41%) versus 8/30 (27%) (+14%, P = 0.25). There were two deaths (one treated ASB, one untreated ASB) and 15 adverse events in the modified arm. There were no deaths (P = 0.16) and 11 adverse events (P = 0.43) in the standard arm. Three patients with untreated UTI survived.

Conclusions

Modified reporting of urine culture improved the appropriateness of treatment by reducing treatment of ASB, but not significantly. Many LTCF prescribers requested standard urine culture reports. Modified reporting may not be suitable for LTCF implementation.

Antibiotic postprescribing modification opportunities among nursing home residents treated for urinary tract infection

Objective:

To characterize opportunities to postprescriptively modify antibiotic prescriptions initiated for treatment of suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) in nursing homes.

Design:

Cross-sectional cohort study.

Methods:

Data from the health records of residents treated for UTI between 2013 and 2014 in 5 Wisconsin nursing homes were abstracted using a structured approach. Explicit definitions were used to identify whether the prescribed antibiotic could have been stopped, shortened, or changed to a nonfluoroquinolone alternative. Antibiotic treatments appropriately modified by study nursing home providers in real time were not considered modifiable. Identification of >1 potential modification opportunity (eg, stop and shorten) per antibiotic treatment event was permitted.

Results:

In total, 356 eligible antibiotic treatment courses among 249 unique residents were identified. Only 59 antibiotic courses prescribed for treatment of suspected UTI (16.6%) were not amenable to any modification. Discontinuation of treatment due to lack of signs or symptoms of infection was the most frequently identified potential modification opportunity (66.2%). Although less common, substantial numbers of antibiotic treatment courses were potentially amenable to shortening (34%) or agent change (19%) modifications. If applied in concert at 72 hours after antibiotic initiation, stop and shorten modifications could eradicate up to 1,326 avoidable antibiotic days, and change modifications could remove a 32 remaining avoidable fluoroquinolone days.

Conclusions:

Substantial opportunity exists to enhance the quality of antibiotic prescribing for treatment of suspected UTI in nursing homes through postprescriptive review interventions. Additional studies examining how to best design and implement postprescriptive review interventions in nursing homes are needed.

Nursing Staff's Role in Detecting Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Homes: An Integrative Review

Despite evidence-based protocols, inappropriate antibiotic use still presents a systemic global threat to health care in nursing homes (NHs). Nursing staff are responsible for recognizing signs and symptoms that may indicate urinary tract infections (UTIs). The current integrative review was designed to examine the state of the literature related to the role of nursing staff in UTI identification and care in NHs. This review, which includes 19 articles published between 2011 and 2020, identified that, although prescribers are the experts in UTI management, nursing staff in NHs were the individuals who recognized changes and communicated residents' needs to prescribers. Further research is required to understand nursing staff's decision making and unique perspectives and determine if evidence-based protocols align with current practice in the NH setting. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(5), 43-50.].

Longitudinal survey of antibiotic stewardship practices in Wisconsin nursing homes, before and after a policy change

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid mandated that nursing homes implement antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) by November 2017. We conducted surveys of Wisconsin nursing-home stewardship practices before and after this mandate. Our comparison of these surveys shows an overall increase in ASP implementation efforts, but it also highlights areas for further improvement.

Poor clinical outcomes associated with suboptimal antibiotic treatment among older long-term care facility residents with urinary tract infection: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic use is associated with several antibiotic-related harms in vulnerable, older long-term care (LTC) residents. Suboptimal antibiotic use may also be associated with harms but has not yet been investigated. The aim of this work was to compare rates of poor clinical outcomes among LTC residents with UTI receiving suboptimal versus optimal antibiotic treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among residents with an incident urinary tract infection (UTI) treated in Veterans Affairs LTC units (2013-2018). Potentially suboptimal antibiotic treatment was defined as use of a suboptimal initial antibiotic drug choice, dose frequency, and/or excessive treatment duration. The primary outcome was time to a composite measure of poor clinical outcome, defined as UTI recurrence, acute care hospitalization/emergency department visit, adverse drug event, Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), or death within 30 days of antibiotic discontinuation. Shared frailty Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to compare the time-to-event between suboptimal and optimal treatment.

RESULTS

Among 19,701 LTC residents with an incident UTI, 64.6% received potentially suboptimal antibiotic treatment and 35.4% experienced a poor clinical outcome. In adjusted analyses, potentially suboptimal antibiotic treatment was associated with a small increased hazard of poor clinical outcome (aHR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) as compared with optimal treatment, driven by an increased hazard of CDI (aHR 1.94, 95% CI 1.54-2.44).

CONCLUSION

In this national cohort study, suboptimal antibiotic treatment was associated with a 6% increased risk of the composite measure of poor clinical outcomes, in particular, a 94% increased risk of CDI. Beyond the decision to use antibiotics, clinicians should also consider the potential harms of suboptimal treatment choices with regards to drug type, dose frequency, and duration used.

Antimicrobial stewardship programmes in nursing homes: a systematic review and inventory of tools

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial overuse/misuse is common in nursing homes and although the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes has been well explored and demonstrated in hospitals, data are scarce for the nursing-home setting. Our objectives for this systematic review were to make an inventory of: (i) all interventions that could be considered as part of AMS programmes in nursing homes; and (ii) all stewardship tools and guidance that are freely available.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review using the MEDLINE database from inception to June 2018, including all interventional studies, reviews, opinion pieces and guidelines/guidance exploring AMS programmes in nursing homes. For the inventory of freely available tools and guidance to help implement an AMS programme, we also performed screening of professional societies and official agencies' websites and a questionnaire survey among a panel of international experts.

RESULTS

A total of 36 articles were included in our systematic review. Most interventions took place in North America and have explored education or persuasive interventions within multifaceted interventions, showing that they can improve guideline adherence and decrease antibiotic use and unnecessary microbiological testing. Most reviews also highlighted the importance of accountability, monitoring and feedback. A large number of tools (156) available for free on the internet were identified, mostly about education, patient assessment and outcome measurement.

CONCLUSIONS

Although high-quality interventional studies are lacking, multifaceted interventions including education, monitoring and feedback seem the most promising strategy. Many tools are available on the internet and can be used to help implement AMS programmes in nursing homes.

Comparison of criteria for determining appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes

BACKGROUND

Measuring the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes remains a challenge. The revised McGeer criteria, which are widely used to conduct infection surveillance in nursing homes, were not designed to assess antibiotic appropriateness. The Loeb criteria were explicitly designed for this purpose but are infrequently used outside investigational studies. The extent to which the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria overlap and can be used interchangeably for tracking antibiotic appropriateness in nursing homes remains insufficiently studied.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional chart review study in 5 Wisconsin nursing homes and applied the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria to all nursing home-initiated antibiotic treatment courses. Kappa (κ) statistics were employed to assess level of agreement overall and by treatment indications.

RESULTS

Overall, 734 eligible antibiotic courses were initiated in participating nursing homes during the study period. Of 734 antibiotic courses, 372 (51%) satisfied the Loeb criteria, while only 211 (29%) of 734 satisfied the revised McGeer criteria. Only 169 (23%) of 734 antibiotic courses satisfied both criteria, and the overall level of agreement between them was fair (κ = 0.35). When stratified by infection type, levels of agreement between the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria were moderate for urinary tract infections (κ = 0.45), fair for skin and soft-tissue infections (0.36), and slight for respiratory tract infections (0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Agreement between the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria is limited, and nursing homes should employ the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria for their intended purposes. Studies to establish the best method for ongoing monitoring of antibiotic appropriateness in nursing homes are needed.

Are antimicrobial stewardship interventions effective and safe in long-term care facilities? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are health-care settings with high antimicrobial consumption and hence need to develop effective antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of ASPs on care-related, clinical and ecological outcomes in LTCFs.

METHODS

Data sources were PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and SCOPUS. Study eligibility criteria were original research articles (controlled clinical trials or controlled before and after studies) published up to 1 October 2020. Participants were adult residents of LTCFs, residential aged-care facilities, nursing homes, veterans' homes, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities for older people. Interventions included ASPs versus standard care. Outcomes assessed were antimicrobial consumption and appropriateness, infections, hospital admissions and mortality. Available data were pooled in a meta-analysis, and inconsistency between studies was evaluated using the I² statistic. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Of the 3111 papers identified, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. All of them analysed the impact of interventions on antimicrobial use based on consumption-related variables (n = 8) and/or percentage of inappropriate prescriptions (n = 6). Pooled data showed a mean difference of -0.47 prescriptions per 1000 resident-days in favour of ASPs (95% CI -0.87 to -0.07, I² = 71%). Five studies analysed the clinical effect of ASPs on the number of hospital admissions and/or resident mortality. The meta-analysis showed a mean difference of 0.17 hospital admissions per 1000 resident-days (95% CI -0.07 to 0.41, I² = 17%) and a mean difference of -0.02 deaths per 1000 resident-days (95% CI -0.14 to 0.09, I² = 0%). Only two studies included infections as a study outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

ASPs appear to improve antimicrobial use in this setting without increasing hospital admissions or deaths, indicating that these programmes do not lead to under-treatment of infections. Nonetheless, further higher-quality clinical trials are required to understand the effects of ASPs in LTCFs.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021225127.

White Paper: Bridging the gap between surveillance data and antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care facilities-practical guidance from the JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks

BACKGROUND

In long-term care facilities (LTCFs) residents often receive inappropriate antibiotic treatment and infection prevention and control practices are frequently inadequate, thus favouring acquisition of MDR organisms. There is increasing evidence in the literature describing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in LTCFs, but practical guidance on how surveillance data should be linked with AMS activities in this setting is lacking. To bridge this gap, the JPIAMR ARCH and COMBACTE-MAGNET EPI-Net networks joined their efforts to provide practical guidance for linking surveillance data with AMS activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Considering the three main topics [AMS leadership and accountability, antimicrobial usage (AMU) and AMS, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and AMS], a literature review was performed and a list of target actions was developed. Consensus on target actions was reached through a RAND-modified Delphi process involving 40 experts from 18 countries and different professional backgrounds adopting a One Health approach.

RESULTS

From the 25 documents identified, 25 target actions were retrieved and proposed for expert evaluation. The consensus process produced a practical checklist including 23 target actions, differentiating between essential and desirable targets according to clinical relevance and feasibility. Flexible proposals for AMS team composition and leadership were provided, with a strong emphasis on the need for well-defined and adequately supported roles and responsibilities. Specific antimicrobial classes, AMU metrics, pathogens and resistance patterns to be monitored are addressed. Effective reporting strategies are described.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed checklist represents a practical tool to support local AMS teams across a wide range of care delivery organization and availability of resources.

Linking antimicrobial resistance surveillance to antibiotic policy in healthcare settings: the COMBACTE-Magnet EPI-Net COACH project

OBJECTIVES

To systematically summarize the evidence on how to collect, analyse and report antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data to inform antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) teams providing guidance on empirical antibiotic treatment in healthcare settings.

METHODS

The research group identified 10 key questions about the link between AMR surveillance and AMS using a checklist of 9 elements for good practice in health research priority settings and a modified 3D combined approach matrix, and conducted a systematic review of published original studies and guidelines on the link between AMR surveillance and AMS.

RESULTS

The questions identified focused on AMS team composition; minimum infrastructure requirements for AMR surveillance; organisms, samples and susceptibility patterns to report; data stratification strategies; reporting frequency; resistance thresholds to drive empirical therapy; surveillance in high-risk hospital units, long-term care, outpatient and veterinary settings; and surveillance data from other countries. Twenty guidelines and seven original studies on the implementation of AMR surveillance as part of an AMS programme were included in the literature review.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence summarized in this review provides a useful basis for a more integrated process of developing procedures to report AMR surveillance data to drive AMS interventions. These procedures should be extended to settings outside the acute-care institutions, such as long-term care, outpatient and veterinary. Without proper AMR surveillance, implementation of AMS policies cannot contribute effectively to the fight against MDR pathogens and may even worsen the burden of adverse events from such interventions.

Upper Gastrointestinal Perforations: A Possible Danger of Antibiotic Overuse

BACKGROUND

The role of changes in gut microflora on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations is not known. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to examine the relationship between antibiotic exposure-a proxy for microbiome modulation-and UGI perforations in a national sample.

METHODS

We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare (2009-2013) to identify patients ≥ 65 years old hospitalized with UGI (stomach or small intestine) perforations using International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes. Cases with UGI perforations were matched with 4 controls, each based on age and sex. Exposure to outpatient antibiotics (0-30, 31-60, 61-90 days) prior to case patients' index hospitalization admission data was determined with Part D claims. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of antibiotic exposure on UGI perforation.

RESULTS

Overall, 504 cases and 2016 matched controls were identified. Compared to controls, more cases had antibiotic exposure 0-30 days (19% vs. 3%, p < 0.001) and 31-60 days (5% vs. 2%, p < 0.001) prior to admission. In adjusted analyses, antibiotic exposure 0-30 days prior to admission was associated with 6.8 increased odds of an UGI perforation (95% CI 4.8, 9.8); 31-60 days was associated with 1.9 increased odds (95% CI 1.1, 3.3); and 61-90 days was associated with 3.7 increased odds (95% CI 2.0, 6.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Recent outpatient antibiotic use, in particular in the preceding 30 days, is associated with UGI perforation among Medicare beneficiaries. Exposure to antibiotics, one of the most modifiable determinants of the microbiome, should be minimized in the outpatient setting.

Recommendations for Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship in Long-Term Care Settings Through Collaboration

Antimicrobial stewardship is a collaborative venture and antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care (LTC) settings is no exception. There are many barriers to implementing effective antimicrobial stewardship programs in LTC settings, including constrained financial resources, limited access to physicians and pharmacists with antimicrobial stewardship training, minimal on-site infectious syndrome diagnostics and laboratory expertise, and high rates of staff turnover. This article suggests that collaboration at the level of health care facilities and systems, with public health departments, with laboratory partners, and among personnel, including nursing staff, prescribers, and pharmacists, can lead to effective antimicrobial stewardship programs in LTC settings.

"There is no one to pick up the pieces": Sustainability of antibiotic stewardship programs in nursing homes

OBJECTIVE

To describe nursing home staff experiences and perceptions of the factors that impact the sustainability of an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP).

METHODS

Using a qualitative descriptive design, semistructured interviews with staff at 9 not-for-profit nursing homes with an established ASP were conducted and audio recorded. De-identified transcriptions of the interviews were coded using a sustainability framework and were analyzed to identify themes.

RESULTS

Interviews were conducted with 48 clinical and administrative staff to elicit their perceptions of the ASPs, and 7 themes were identified. ASPs were perceived to be resource intensive and "data driven," requiring access to and interpretation of data that are not readily available at many nursing homes. Though motivated and committed, ASP champions felt that they could not single-handedly sustain the program. Attending to daily clinical needs (ie, "fires") made it hard to progress beyond implementation and to reach step 2 of sustainability. Longstanding treatment habits by external prescribers and regulations were believed to impede ASP efforts. Partnerships with an external consultant with antibiotic stewardship expertise were considered important, as was the need for internal leadership support and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. Participants felt that consistent and ongoing education on antibiotic stewardship at all staff levels was important.

CONCLUSIONS

Although many interconnected factors impact the sustainability of an ASP, nursing homes may be able to sustain an ASP by focusing on 3 critical areas: (1) explicit support by nursing home leadership, (2) external partnerships with professionals with antibiotic stewardship expertise and internal interprofessional collaborations, and (3) consistent education and training for all staff.

The SHIELD Orange County Project: Multidrug-resistant Organism Prevalence in 21 Nursing Homes and Long-term Acute Care Facilities in Southern California

BACKGROUND

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) spread between hospitals, nursing homes (NHs), and long-term acute care facilities (LTACs) via patient transfers. The Shared Healthcare Intervention to Eliminate Life-threatening Dissemination of MDROs in Orange County is a regional public health collaborative involving decolonization at 38 healthcare facilities selected based on their high degree of patient sharing. We report baseline MDRO prevalence in 21 NHs/LTACs.

METHODS

A random sample of 50 adults for 21 NHs/LTACs (18 NHs, 3 LTACs) were screened for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing organisms (ESBL), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) using nares, skin (axilla/groin), and peri-rectal swabs. Facility and resident characteristics associated with MDRO carriage were assessed using multivariable models clustering by person and facility.

RESULTS

Prevalence of MDROs was 65% in NHs and 80% in LTACs. The most common MDROs in NHs were MRSA (42%) and ESBL (34%); in LTACs they were VRE (55%) and ESBL (38%). CRE prevalence was higher in facilities that manage ventilated LTAC patients and NH residents (8% vs <1%, P < .001). MDRO status was known for 18% of NH residents and 49% of LTAC patients. MDRO-colonized adults commonly harbored additional MDROs (54% MDRO+ NH residents and 62% MDRO+ LTACs patients). History of MRSA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 2.4; P = .004), VRE (OR = 2.1; CI: 1.2, 3.8; P = .01), ESBL (OR = 1.6; CI: 1.1, 2.3; P = .03), and diabetes (OR = 1.3; CI: 1.0, 1.7; P = .03) were associated with any MDRO carriage.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of NH residents and LTAC patients harbor MDROs. MDRO status is frequently unknown to the facility. The high MDRO prevalence highlights the need for prevention efforts in NHs/LTACs as part of regional efforts to control MDRO spread.

Evaluating and prioritizing antimicrobial stewardship programs for nursing homes: A modified Delphi panel

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic use in nursing homes is often inappropriate, in terms of overuse and misuse, and it can be linked to adverse events and antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can optimize antibiotic use by minimizing unnecessary prescriptions, treatment cost, and the overall spread of antimicrobial resistance. Nursing home providers and residents are candidates for ASP implementation, yet guidelines for implementation are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To support nursing home providers with the selection and adoption of ASP interventions.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A multiphase modified Delphi method to assess 15 ASP interventions across criteria addressing scientific merit, feasibility, impact, accountability, and importance. This study included surveys supplemented with a 1-day consensus meeting.

PARTICIPANTS

A 16-member multidisciplinary panel of experts and resident representatives.

RESULTS

From highest to lowest, 6 interventions were prioritized by the panel: (1) guidelines for empiric prescribing, (2) audit and feedback, (3) communication tools, (4) short-course antibiotic therapy, (5) scheduled antibiotic reassessment, and (6) clinical decision support systems. Several interventions were not endorsed: antibiograms, educational interventions, formulary review, and automatic substitution. A lack of nursing home resources was noted, which could impede multifaceted interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing home providers should consider 6 key interventions for ASPs. Such interventions may be feasible for nursing home settings and impactful for improving antibiotic use; however, scientific merit supporting each is variable. A multifaceted approach may be necessary for long-term improvement but difficult to implement.

Effect of antibiotic time-outs on modification of antibiotic prescriptions in nursing homes

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic overuse and misuse is a common problem in nursing homes. Antibiotic time-out (ATO) interventions have led to improvements in antibiotic uses in hospitals, but their impact in nursing homes remain understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a stewardship intervention, promoting use of ATOs on the frequency and types of antibiotic change events (ACEs) in nursing homes.

DESIGN

Controlled before-and-after intervention study.

SETTING

Nursing homes in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

METHOD

Data on antibiotic prescriptions in 11 nursing homes were collected for 25 months. We categorized ACEs as (1) early discontinuation, (2) class modification, or (3) administration modification. Class modification ACEs were further classified based on whether the change narrowed, expanded, or had no effect on bacterial spectrum coverage. Analyses were performed using a difference-in-difference (DiD) approach.

RESULT

Of 2,647 antibiotic events initiated in study nursing homes, 376 (14.2%) were associated with an ACE. The overall proportion of ACEs did not significantly differ between intervention and control nursing homes. Early discontinuation ACEs increased in intervention nursing homes (DiD, 2.5%; P = .01), primarily affecting residents initiated on broad-spectrum antibiotics (DiD, 2.9%; P < .01). Class modification ACEs decreased in intervention nursing homes but remained unchanged in control nursing homes.

CONCLUSION

The impact of an ATO intervention in study nursing homes was mixed with increases in early discontinuation ACEs offset by reductions in class modification ACEs. More research on the potential value of ATO interventions in nursing homes is warranted.

Characteristics of nursing homes with comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programs: Results of a national survey

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes (NHs) is a high priority owing to intense antibiotic use and increased risk of adverse events. Updated Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations required NHs to establish antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). This study describes the current state of NH ASPs.

METHODS

A nationally representative survey of NHs was conducted in 2018. ASP comprehensiveness, infection preventionist (IP) training, participation in Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) activities, and facility and staff characteristics were analyzed using weighted descriptive statistics and multinomial regression models.

RESULTS

Of 861 NHs, 33.2% (6-7) had "comprehensive" ASP policies, 41.1% (4-5) had "moderately comprehensive" ASP policies, and 25.6% (≤ 3) had "not comprehensive" ASP policies. Data collection on antibiotic use was most reported (91.4%), and restricting use of specific antibiotics was least reported (19.0%). Comprehensive ASPs were associated with QIN-QIO involvement; moderate and comprehensive ASPs were associated with IP training and high occupancy.

DISCUSSION

Immediately following Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulation changes, a majority of NHs had moderately comprehensive or comprehensive ASPs. Rates for each policy and infection control-trained IPs increased from previous studies.

CONCLUSIONS

NH ASPs are becoming more comprehensive. Infection control training and partnerships with QIN-QIOs can support NHs to increase ASP comprehensiveness.

Collaborative Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Health Department

Given the population-level implications of antibiotic resistance and the importance of antibiotic stewardship in containment and prevention of resistance, public health has a vested interest in strengthening antibiotic stewardship efforts. There are opportunities for public health collaboration at all levels including local health departments, state public health programs, and through federal public health entities. This article discusses existing public health stewardship activities, opportunities for collaboration between public health and key partners in antibiotic stewardship programs, the potential for improvement and expansion of current activities, and possible new modes of collaboration that could be pursued.

Infections in the Elderly Critically-Ill Patients

Infections are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the advanced aged. Various factors including immunosenescens, comorbid chronic diseases, and alterations in normal physiological organ functions may modify the frequency and severity of infections in elderly patients. Normal body reactions to ensuing infection, such as increased body temperature, may be blunted in those patients causing difficulties in differential diagnosis between infection and other diseases. In severe infections the respiratory and urinary tracts are the most frequently involved systems which may be accompanied by severe sepsis. Bacteremia and sepsis are also associated with indwelling vascular catheters in the elderly who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Older patients are more vulnerable to the Clostridioides difficile infection, as well. Although the general management of infections in severely ill elderly patients is not different than in younger patients, meticulous care in fluid management and careful individualized optimization in antibiotic therapy, along with the other principals of antimicrobial stewardship are warranted in order to prevent increased mortality caused by infection. Organized team management when treating critically ill elderly patients in the ICU is essential and will reduce the morbidity and mortality due to infection in such patients.

Does treatment of urinary tract infections reflect the antibiotic stewardship program guidelines?

Protocols are required for antibiotic use for treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). This project assessed antibiotic prescribing practices for UTI in three LTCFs to elucidate practice and its relationship to protocols in these settings. A retrospective chart review of UTI cases occurring between February 1, 2017, and July 30, 2017, was conducted to describe provider management in three LTCFs. Sixty-three cases with compelling urinary symptoms potentially suggestive of UTI were included in the review. Urine culture findings indicated that a more than 100,000 CFU/ml colony count was present in 46% (n = 29) of the cases; however, 63.5% (n = 40) of the cases received antibiotics. Eleven cases (17.4%) received antibiotics based on symptoms without UTI diagnosis. Empirical treatment was initiated in 35% (n = 22) of the cases. When urine culture reports were available, previously untreated 28.57% (n = 18) cases received antibiotics for colony counts of >100,000 CFU/ml. Antibiotics were given for colony counts of <100,000 CFU/ml for 17.46% (n = 11) of the cases. Increased urinary frequency or burning on urination (95.23%) and change in behavior (88.9%) were the primary reasons for initiation of urinalysis and urine culture testing. Nurse practitioner implementation of protocols for antibiotic stewardship programs in LTCFs can prevent overprescription for UTI in these facilities.

One-day point prevalence as a method for estimating antibiotic use in nursing homes

Antibiotic use tracking in nursing homes is necessary for stewardship and regulatory requirements but may be burdensome. We used pharmacy data to evaluate whether once-weekly sampling of antibiotic use can estimate total use; we found no significant differences in estimated and measured antibiotic use.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Long-Term Care Settings: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial stewardship programs have been established in hospitals, but less studied in long‐term care facilities (LTCFs), a setting with unique challenges related to patient populations and available resources. This systematic review sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of antimicrobial stewardship interventions implemented in LTCFs, using meta‐analysis to examine their impact on overall antimicrobial use.

METHODS

Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL (1990 to July 2018) identified any antimicrobial stewardship interventions in LTCFs, with no restriction on patient population, study design, or outcomes. Intervention components were categorized using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care taxonomy on implementation strategies. Random‐effects meta‐analysis used ratio of means to facilitate pooling of different metrics of antimicrobial use.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies (one randomized controlled trial [RCT], four cluster RCTs, four controlled pre/post studies, and nine uncontrolled pre/post studies) met inclusion, using 13 different antimicrobial stewardship intervention strategies; 15 studies used multifaceted (maximum, seven; median, four) interventions. The three most commonly implemented strategies were educational materials, educational meetings, and guideline implementation. Intervention labor intensity and resource requirements varied considerably among interventions. Meta‐analysis of 11 studies demonstrated that antimicrobial stewardship strategies were associated with a 14% reduction in overall antimicrobial use (95% confidence interval = −8% to −20%; P < .0001), with similar results by study design but high heterogeneity (I² = 86%) for the uncontrolled pre/post study subgroup and no heterogeneity (I² = 0%) for the cluster RCT and controlled pre/post study subgroups. Funnel plot analysis suggested publication bias, with a lack of publication of smaller studies showing increased antibiotic use.

CONCLUSION

Antimicrobial stewardship strategies implemented in long‐term care vary considerably in design and resource intensity, but collectively suggest potential to reduce antimicrobial use in this challenging setting. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:392–399, 2019.

A recipe for antimicrobial stewardship success: Using intervention mapping to develop a program to reduce antibiotic overuse in long-term care

OBJECTIVE

To better understand barriers and facilitators that contribute to antibiotic overuse in long-term care and to use this information to inform an evidence and theory-informed program.

METHODS

Information on barriers and facilitators associated with the assessment and management of urinary tract infections were identified from a mixed-methods survey and from focus groups with stakeholders working in long-term care. Each barrier or facilitator was mapped to corresponding determinants of behavior change, as described by the theoretical domains framework (TDF). The Rx for Change database was used to identify strategies to address the key determinants of behavior change.

RESULTS

In total, 19 distinct barriers and facilitators were mapped to 8 domains from the TDF: knowledge, skills, environmental context and resources, professional role or identity, beliefs about consequences, social influences, emotions, and reinforcements. The assessment of barriers and facilitators informed the need for a multifaceted approach with the inclusion of strategies (1) to establish buy-in for the changes; (2) to align organizational policies and procedures; (3) to provide education and ongoing coaching support to staff; (4) to provide information and education to residents and families; (5) to establish process surveillance with feedback to staff; and (6) to deliver reminders.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a stepped approach was valuable to ensure that locally relevant barriers and facilitators to practice change were addressed in the development of a regional program to help long-term care facilities minimize antibiotic prescribing for asymptomatic bacteriuria. This stepped approach provides considerable opportunity to advance the design and impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Infectious Diseases in Older Adults of Long-Term Care Facilities: Update on Approach to Diagnosis and Management

The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), particularly nursing facilities, remains a challenge for all health providers who care for this population. This review provides updated information on the currently most important challenges of infectious diseases in LTCFs. With the increasing prescribing of antibiotics in older adults, particularly in LTCFs, the topic of antibiotic stewardship is presented in this review. Following this discussion, salient points on clinical relevance, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, therapy, and prevention are discussed for skin and soft tissue infections, infectious diarrhea (Clostridium difficile and norovirus infections), bacterial pneumonia, and urinary tract infection, as well as some of the newer approaches to preventive interventions in the LTCF setting.