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Tadros MM, Boshra MS, Scott M, Fleming G, Magee F, Hamed MI, Abuelhana A, Courtenay A, Salem HF, Burnett K. Antimicrobial prescribing in a secondary care setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2023; 5:dlad117. [PMID: 37965099 PMCID: PMC10642613 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlad117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increased antimicrobial resistance patterns lead to limited options for antimicrobial agents, affecting patient health and increasing hospital costs. Objectives To investigate the antimicrobial prescribing patterns at two district hospitals in Northern Ireland before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A mixed prospective-retrospective study was designed to compare pre- and during pandemic antimicrobial prescribing data in both hospitals using a Global Point Prevalence Survey. Results Of the 591 patients surveyed in both hospitals, 43.8% were treated with 402 antimicrobials. A total of 82.8% of antimicrobial prescriptions were for empirical treatment. No significant difference existed in numbers of patients treated or antimicrobials used before and during the pandemic. There was a slight decrease of 3.3% in the compliance rate with hospital antimicrobial guidelines during the pandemic when compared with the pre-pandemic year of 2019, when it was 69.5%. Treatment based on patients' biomarker data also slightly decreased from 83.5% pre-pandemic (2019) to 81.5% during the pandemic (2021). Conclusions There was no overall significant impact of the pandemic on the antimicrobial prescribing patterns in either hospital when compared with the pre-pandemic findings. The antimicrobial stewardship programmes would appear to have played an important role in controlling antimicrobial consumption during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Tadros
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST University), P.O. Box 12566, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marian S Boshra
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, P.O. Box 62514, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Michael Scott
- Medicines Optimisation and Innovation Centre (MOIC), Antrim Area Hospital, Antrim, UK
| | - Glenda Fleming
- Medicines Optimisation and Innovation Centre (MOIC), Antrim Area Hospital, Antrim, UK
| | - Fidelma Magee
- Pharmacy Department, Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), Antrim, UK
| | - Mohammad I Hamed
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST University), P.O. Box 12566, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abuelhana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Aaron Courtenay
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Heba F Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, P.O. Box 62514, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Kathryn Burnett
- Regional Pharmaceutical Procurement Service, Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), Antrim, UK
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Guntschnig S, Courtenay A, Abuelhana A, Scott MG. Clinical pharmacy interventions in an Austrian hospital: a report highlights the need for the implementation of clinical pharmacy services. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2023:ejhpharm-2023-003840. [PMID: 37748843 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2023-003840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical pharmacy services face challenges in Austria due to limited implementation and acceptance, outdated legislation and a lack of guidelines and training, despite the evidence from global studies of the positive impact of clinical pharmacists on patient care. OBJECTIVES First, to identify the necessary types of clinical pharmacy interventions required at a 360-bed hospital located in Austria. Second, to evaluate the extent to which physicians accept the suggestions made by clinical pharmacists. METHODS Over a period of 27 months, a clinical pharmacist made a series of interventions, which were evaluated using a six-point clinical significance scale. To determine the inter-rater reliability, a subset of 25 interventions was assessed for their clinical significance by four independent internal medicine physicians. RESULTS A total of 1064 interventions were made by the pharmacist. Clinical pharmacy input was deemed necessary for 986 out of 1364 (72.3%) patients, with an average of 1.08 interventions per patient. The prompt acceptance rate of these interventions by physicians was 83.5% (888/1064), while 12.9% (137/1064) were considered by physicians but not immediately acted upon. The average clinical significance intervention rating was 2.15. The inter-rater reliability agreement between the four MDs and between the four MDs and the pharmacist was classified as 'good' to 'moderate'. CONCLUSION This study in a secondary care Austrian hospital demonstrates the requirement for clinical pharmacy services, which are highly valued by other healthcare professionals. The clinical pharmacist is a key member of the multidisciplinary ward team, playing a vital role in reducing drug-related problems and enhancing patient safety. This work should now be scaled and tested in other Austrian hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Guntschnig
- Tauernklinikum Standort Zell am See, Zell am See, Austria
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Aaron Courtenay
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Ahmed Abuelhana
- School of Pharmacy, University of Ulster Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Coleraine, UK
| | - Michael G Scott
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
- Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Antrim, UK
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Amponsah OKO, Courtenay A, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Abuelhana A, Opoku DA, Blay LK, Abruquah NA, Osafo AB, Danquah CB, Tawiah P, Opare-Addo MNA, Owusu-Ofori A, Buabeng KO. Assessing the impact of antimicrobial stewardship implementation at a district hospital in Ghana using a health partnership model. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2023; 5:dlad084. [PMID: 37465105 PMCID: PMC10350667 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is imperative in addressing the menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in health systems. Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship uses a health partnership model to establish AMS in Commonwealth countries. The Hospital of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partnership with Ulster University, Northern Ireland, undertook an AMS project from November 2021 to May 2022. We report on implementation of the AMS, its impact on antibiotic use and infections management at the University Hospital; Kumasi, Ghana. Methods The Global-Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) protocol was used to assess antibiotics use at the hospital at baseline, midpoint and end of the project. Feedback on each PPS was given to the hospital to inform practice, behavioural change and improve antibiotic use. Results Antibiotic use reduced from 65% at baseline to 59.7% at the end of the project. The rate of healthcare-associated infections also reduced from 17.5% at baseline to 6.5%. Use of antibiotics from the WHO Access group was 40% at baseline but increased to 50% at the endpoint. Watch antibiotics reduced from 60% to 50% from baseline. Culture and susceptibility requests increased from baseline of 111 total requests to 330 requests in the intervention period to inform antimicrobial therapy. Conclusion The model AMS instituted improved antibiotic use and quality of antimicrobial therapy within the study period. Continuous staff education and training in AMS, and use of standard tools for assessment and application of local data to inform infections management will ensure sustenance and improvement in the gains made.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron Courtenay
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, North Ireland, UK
| | - Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ahmed Abuelhana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, North Ireland, UK
| | - Douglas Aninng Opoku
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Lawrence Kobina Blay
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nana Akua Abruquah
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Phyllis Tawiah
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Mercy Naa Aduele Opare-Addo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Alex Owusu-Ofori
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwame Ohene Buabeng
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Hussein RR, Rabie ASI, Bin Shaman M, Shaaban AH, Fahmy AM, Sofy MR, Lattyak EA, Abuelhana A, Naguib IA, Ashour AM, Aldeyab MA. Antibiotic consumption in hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative study. J Infect Dev Ctries 2022; 16:1679-1686. [PMID: 36449638 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in similar clinical characteristics as bacterial respiratory tract infections and can potentially lead to antibiotic overuse. This study aimed to determine the changes in hospital antimicrobial usage before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY We compared antimicrobial consumption data for 2019 and 2020. Inpatient antibiotic consumption was determined and expressed as a defined daily dose (DDD) per 100 occupied bed days, following the World Health Organization (WHO) methods. The WHO Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification was used. RESULTS The total antimicrobial consumption in 2020 increased by 16.3% compared to consumption in 2019. In 2020, there was a reduction in fourth-generation cephalosporins (-30%), third-generation cephalosporins (-29%), and combinations of penicillins (-23%). In contrast, antibiotics that were consumed more during 2020 compared with 2019 included linezolid (374%), vancomycin (66.6%), and carbapenem (7%). Linezolid is the only antibiotic from the Reserve group on the hospital's formulary. Antibiotic usage from the Access group was reduced by 17%, while antibiotic usage from the Watch group and the Reserve group was increased by 3% and 374%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings show a significant shift in antibiotic usage from the Access group to the Watch and Reserve groups. The Watch and Reserve groups are known to be associated with increased resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, antimicrobial stewardship should be increased and maintained during the pandemic to ensure appropriate antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghda Rs Hussein
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | | | - Maryam Bin Shaman
- Pharmacy Department, Prince Mohammad Medical City, Ministry of Health, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Hassan Shaaban
- Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Alzhraa M Fahmy
- Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud R Sofy
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, AL-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | - Ahmed Abuelhana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim A Naguib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mamoon A Aldeyab
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
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El-Tanani M, Al Khatib AO, Aladwan SM, Abuelhana A, McCarron PA, Tambuwala MM. Importance of STAT3 signalling in cancer, metastasis and therapeutic interventions. Cell Signal 2022; 92:110275. [PMID: 35122990 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) protein is encoded on chromosome 17q21. The SH2 and the DNA binding domains are critical structural components of the protein, together with tyrosine and serine residues that initiate phosphorylation. STAT3 interacts with DNA directly and functions in cells as both a signal transducer and a transcription factor. Its cytoplasmic activation results in dimerisation and nuclear translocation, where it is involved in the transcription of a large number of target genes. STAT3 is hyperactive in cancer cells as a result of upstream STAT3 mutations or enhanced cytokine production in the tumour environment. The STAT3 signalling pathway promotes many hallmarks of carcinogenesis and metastasis, including enhanced cell proliferation and survival, as well as migration and invasion into the extracellular matrix. Recent investigations into novel STAT3-based therapies describe a range of innovative approaches, such as the use of novel oligonucleotide drugs. These limit STAT3 binding to its target genes by attaching to SH2 and DNA-binding domains. Yet, despite these significant steps in understanding the underpinning mechanisms, there are currently no therapeutic agents that addresses STAT3 signalling in a clinically relevant manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed El-Tanani
- Pharmacological and Diagnostic Research Centre, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Amman, Jordan; Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom; Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom.
| | - Arwa Omar Al Khatib
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Safwan Mahmoud Aladwan
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Abuelhana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A McCarron
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom..
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Abuelhana A, Ashfield L, Scott MG, Fleming GF, Sabry N, Farid S, Burnett K. Analysis of activities undertaken by ward-based clinical pharmacy technicians during patient hospital journey. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2021; 28:313-319. [PMID: 34697047 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2019-001972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies recognise insufficient time as an obstacle to pharmacists expanding their clinical-based activities and services. For such a reason, the role of well-trained ward-based clinical pharmacy technicians (CPTs) is to work as an integral part of the pharmacy team to achieve the best patient outcomes and medicines optimisation, releasing pharmacist time to complete more complex clinical-related activities. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate quantitatively the range and extent of daily activities undertaken by CPTs during a patient's hospital journey. METHOD A prospective-based study has been designed. All daily working services and activities undertaken by ward-based CPTs within a 450-bed Acute District General hospital were quantitatively collected and documented. Data were collected from five medical, two surgical and one cardiology wards of 30 beds in each over a period of 2 weeks for each ward representing a total of 70 working days (14 weeks, excluding weekends). RESULTS Results showed the breakdown of seven different ward-based activities throughout a typical working day with the main working load being reviews of the patients' medication charts in order to supply new medicines and refer medicines-related issues to the ward pharmacist, with an average number reviewed of (23.17±0.85) representing 77.23% of the total patients in a 30-bed ward. The CPTs' highest workload was on Mondays and Fridays, mainly during the morning working hours (09:00-12:00). Also, statistically significant differences (p<0.05; Kruskal-Wallis test) existed between the workload of the three different ward specialties (medical, surgical and cardiology) in five clinical activities out of seven undertaken by CPT per day. CONCLUSION CPTs are completing more than seven different ward pharmacy-related activities which enhance medicines optimisation, medicines management and patient care. They are a valuable resource carrying out many roles which were previously completed by junior pharmacists. Their prioritising of patients for review ensures pharmacists focus their efforts on the most vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abuelhana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK.,Misr University for Science & Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Linden Ashfield
- Medicine Optimisation Innovation Center, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim, UK
| | - Michael G Scott
- Medicine Optimisation Innovation Center, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim, UK
| | - Glenda F Fleming
- Medicine Optimisation Innovation Center, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim, UK
| | - Nermin Sabry
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Samar Farid
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Kathryn Burnett
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK
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