Antimicrobial stewardship in the Federal Bureau of Prisons: Approaches from the national and local levels

Planning and development of an antimicrobial stewardship program in penitentiary facilities: strategies to optimize therapeutic prescribing and reduce the incidence of antibiotic resistance

Introduction

In correctional facilities, due to the high incidence of bacterial infections, antibiotics are widely prescribed. As a result, it may occur a massive and improper use of antibiotics, which promotes the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, in literature, specific experiences, interventions or guidelines aimed to optimize their prescription within prisons are sporadic.

Objectives

In an Italian hospital where belong patients from four penitentiary institutions, a multidisciplinary team has implemented an antimicrobial stewardship project. The aim of the project was to reduce the incidence of antibiotic resistance in penitentiary institutions by optimizing and rationalizing antibiotic prescribing.

Methods

Following the analysis of microbiological prevalence and antibiotic consumption data within correctional facilities, the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team developed operational tools to support prison healthcare staff to manage properly antibiotic therapies.

Results

The analysis showed a gradual increase in antibiotic resistance: in 2021 the prevalence of resistant microorganisms was 1.75%, four times higher than in 2019. In contrast, between 2019 and 2021, antibiotic consumption decreased by 24%. Based on consumption data, pharmacy has drafted an antibiotic formulary for correctional facilities, supplemented with guidelines and data sheets, and also developed a prescription form for critical antibiotics.

Conclusion

Results showed an increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance within prisons, highlighting the need to establish a dedicated antimicrobial stewardship program. This project may impact positively not only on prisoners, but also for the entire community, as prisons can be considered as places of health education and promotion.

Establishing a baseline of antibiotic use in Massachusetts jails reveals heterogeneity in quantity of prescriptions and duration of therapy

Optimizing antibiotic prescribing is a crucial element of the fight against antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic prescribing patterns in jails have not been studied. We established a baseline of antibiotic prescribing between Massachusetts jails. We detected heterogeneity in quantity and duration of antibiotic prescriptions, revealing an opportunity for improved practice.

Pattern and Appropriateness of Antimicrobial Prescriptions for Upper Respiratory Tract and Dental Infections in Male Prisoners in Italy

BACKGROUND

This study explored the antimicrobial prescribing pattern for upper respiratory tract and dental infections in prisoners in Italy, with specific attention paid to the appropriateness of indication and its potential determinants.

METHODS

This investigation was conducted through the consultation of clinical records of adult male inmates in a prison in the south of Italy.

RESULTS

Prescription of antimicrobials for upper respiratory tract infections ranged from 41.9% in influenza diagnoses to 88% in pharyngitis diagnoses, with high prevalence also for bronchitis (73.5%) and common cold (57.7%), and those for dental infections ranged from 82% in pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis/pulp necrosis and localized acute apical abscess diagnoses, to 85.7% in symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without symptomatic apical periodontitis diagnoses. The most frequently prescribed antimicrobial was amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (33.8%), followed by amoxicillin (26.5%), macrolides (19.8%) and third-generation cephalosporins (7.9%). The overall antimicrobial overprescription was 69.4%, whereas an antimicrobial prescription was provided in all 52 cases in which it was indicated. The inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions were significantly less likely for bronchitis, influenza and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without symptomatic apical periodontitis compared to common cold/pharyngitis/rhinosinusitis, and when the antimicrobial prescription was provided by medical specialists compared to prison physicians, whereas antimicrobial overprescriptions without indications were significantly more frequent in patients with underlying chronic clinical conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

A concerning widespread practice of inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions in prisoners was found. Diagnoses-specific monitoring of antimicrobial use and prison-focused antimicrobial stewardship policies are strongly needed.

Government policy interventions to reduce human antimicrobial use: A systematic review and evidence map

BACKGROUND

Growing political attention to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) offers a rare opportunity for achieving meaningful action. Many governments have developed national AMR action plans, but most have not yet implemented policy interventions to reduce antimicrobial overuse. A systematic evidence map can support governments in making evidence-informed decisions about implementing programs to reduce AMR, by identifying, describing, and assessing the full range of evaluated government policy options to reduce antimicrobial use in humans.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Seven databases were searched from inception to January 28, 2019, (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PAIS Index, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and PubMed). We identified studies that (1) clearly described a government policy intervention aimed at reducing human antimicrobial use, and (2) applied a quantitative design to measure the impact. We found 69 unique evaluations of government policy interventions carried out across 4 of the 6 WHO regions. These evaluations included randomized controlled trials (n = 4), non-randomized controlled trials (n = 3), controlled before-and-after designs (n = 7), interrupted time series designs (n = 25), uncontrolled before-and-after designs (n = 18), descriptive designs (n = 10), and cohort designs (n = 2). From these we identified 17 unique policy options for governments to reduce the human use of antimicrobials. Many studies evaluated public awareness campaigns (n = 17) and antimicrobial guidelines (n = 13); however, others offered different policy options such as professional regulation, restricted reimbursement, pay for performance, and prescription requirements. Identifying these policies can inform the development of future policies and evaluations in different contexts and health systems. Limitations of our study include the possible omission of unpublished initiatives, and that policies not evaluated with respect to antimicrobial use have not been captured in this review.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge this is the first study to provide policy makers with synthesized evidence on specific government policy interventions addressing AMR. In the future, governments should ensure that AMR policy interventions are evaluated using rigorous study designs and that study results are published.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017067514.