Work of a multidisciplinary team in the control of the prescription of ertapenem

Abstract

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of the intervention of a multidiscipline antimicrobial control group in the correct prescription of Ertapenem.

Method

A 4-month long, prospective study into prescriptions for ertapenem was carried out in a third-level hospital. Assessment into the degree of suitability of each prescription according to the infections commission usage criteria. In the situation where prescriptions were not suitable, recommendations were given and acceptance of this was recorded. The effectiveness of the antimicrobial treatment used was assessed and treatment was considered effective when there was remission of the signs and symptoms of the infection when the treatment was completed. The treatment was considered to have failed when the signs and symptoms of infection persisted or progressed, requiring the addition of another antimicrobial agent, changing antibiotics or the prolongation of the treatment for longer than 2 weeks. Lastly, the differences in the average length of stay and the duration of the antibiotic treatment between groups were analysed.

Results

Forty-eight prescriptions were assessed. The usage criterion was adequate in 48% of cases, with 78% effectiveness in this group. In the cases where the prescription was not adequate, but a change in prescription was accepted, the effectiveness was 92%, with 55.5% of those cases not accepting recommendation for change. The average stay was higher in this last group (P=.07). The duration of the antibiotic treatment in the patients who accepted the change in prescription was significantly less than in those who did not accept it (2 vs 7.4 days, P<.0001).

Conclusions

The control of ertapenem prescriptions by a multidisciplinary group was effective.