Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of antimicrobial usage: the first step for antimicrobial stewardship

The identification of antimicrobial use patterns is essential for determining key targets for antimicrobial stewardship interventions and evaluating the effectiveness thereof. Accurately identifying antimicrobial use patterns requires quantitative evaluation, which focuses on measuring the quantity and frequency of antimicrobial use, and qualitative evaluation, which assesses the appropriateness, effectiveness, and potential side effects of antimicrobial prescriptions. This paper summarizes the quantitative and qualitative methods used to evaluate antimicrobials, drawing insights from overseas and domestic cases.

Effect of Perioperative Prophylactic Intravenous Antibiotic Use in Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study

Background  Among breast reconstruction methods, implant-based breast reconstruction has become the mainstream. However, periprosthetic infection is still an unresolved problem. Although published articles have revealed that limited use of antibiotics is sufficient to reduce infection rates, the number of surgeons still preferring elongated usage of antibiotics is not less. The aim of our study is to validate the appropriate duration of antibiotic use to reduce infection rate after implant-based breast reconstruction. Methods  A retrospective study reviewed medical record of 235 patients (274 implants for reconstruction) who underwent prepectoral direct to implant breast reconstruction using acellular dermal matrix wrapping technique. Infection rates were analyzed for the patients administered postoperative prophylactic antibiotics until drain removal and those who received only perioperative prophylactic antibiotics for 24 hours. Results  Of the 274 implants, 98 who were administered prophylactic antibiotics until drain removal had an infection rate of 3.06% (three implants) and 176 who received prophylactic antibiotics no longer than 24 hours postoperatively had an infection rate of 4.49% (eight implants). A total of 11 patients diagnosed with postoperative infection clinically, 8 were salvaged by antibiotic treatment, and 3 had implant removal and replacement with autologous flap. Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis duration had no statistically significant effects in the risk of infection ( p  = 0.549). Conclusion  The duration of prophylactic antibiotics after surgery was not related to infection risk. Further study with a large number of patients, randomized control study, and route of antibiotics is needed.

Current Status and Prospect of Qualitative Assessment of Antibiotics Prescriptions

Identifying inappropriately prescribed antibiotics for infectious diseases by monitoring the quality of antibiotics use is essential for effective implementation of antibiotic stewardship. Qualitative assessment of the use of antibiotics has been conducted in some countries, including Korea, since the 2000s. The qualitative assessment generally involves an assessment of each component of the antibiotics prescription process, based on specific criteria. However, there is no standardized assessment method or cycle, and infectious diseases or antibiotics included in the assessments vary from country-to-country. According to the results reported in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Korea so far, approximately 20 - 55% of all antibiotics prescriptions are inappropriate. In this review, we describe the current progress in the quality assessment of the use of antibiotics on a global scale. Further, we highlight the future directions to improve antibiotic stewardship activities and the quality assessment of the use of antibiotics in Korea.

Evaluating the implementability of Antibiotic Surgical Prophylaxis guidelines

BACKGROUND

Current Australian data highlight guideline noncompliant prescribing of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis. The study aim was to evaluate the implementability of the Australian national surgical prophylaxis (SAP) guidelines to identify facilitators for and barriers to compliance.

METHODS

Key stakeholders appraised the surgical prophylaxis guidelines using the GuideLine Implementability Appraisal (GLIA) tool. Questions with 100% agreement for the response 'Yes' were identified as facilitators and those with 100% agreement for 'No', a barrier. Questions that did not receive 100% agreement, but had a majority (40-60%) 'Yes' or 'No' consensus were considered as borderline facilitators and barriers respectively.

RESULTS

Ten appraisals were completed. Guideline recommendations were rated as easily identifiable and concise and were thus facilitators for implementation. The ability to measure guideline adherence and outcomes, and recommendations that were consistent with guideline user abilities and beliefs were also identified as facilitators. Borderline facilitators related to the clarity of the recommendations and whether they were explicit in what to do and in what circumstances. Evidence quality underpinning recommendations (validity), inflexibility of recommendations (flexibility) and the lack of patient data at the point of use (computability) were identified as borderline barriers to implementation. No recommendation reached agreement as being a barrier.

CONCLUSION

The GLIA appraisal demonstrated overall implementability of the current Australian national surgical prophylaxis guidelines. Facilitators (i.e., measurability) and borderline facilitators highlight strengths of the current guideline. Borderline barriers (i.e., validity, flexibility and computability) may negatively impact upon implementability. Guideline developers should consider these dimensions to optimise guideline uptake and consequently patient care.

Are prophylactic antibiotics necessary in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, regardless of patient risk?

PURPOSE

The average rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been reported in the literature to be between 0.4% and 6.3%. Also, these recent reviews have concluded that a prophylactic antibiotics for elective LCs in low-risk patients is not useful, but there were no results in high-risk patients.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a single dose of first-generation cephalosporin as a prophylactic antibiotic for patients undergoing elective LC, regardless of patient risk. This randomized clinical trial was conducted from October 2013 to December 2014 by single surgeon at our hospital. Patients were randomized into two groups by following method. Odd-numbered patients (group A) received 1-g cefazolin intravenously within 30 minutes before incision, whereas even-numbered patients (group B) received normal saline intravenously instead of prophylactic antibiotics, with the aim of including 100 patients in each group. SSIs were recorded and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

There were no differences in preoperative demographics and postoperative findings between the groups. There were no superficial and deep SSIs in either group, 9 cases of superficial seromas developed (4.5%) in the cohort: 4 in group A (4%) and 5 in group B (5%). There were no significant associations between SSIs and the use of prophylactic antibiotics in either group. Additionally, the high-risk group did not show a significantly increased rate of SSIs.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study, prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary in elective LC, regardless of patient risk.