[Antibiotic therapy in hospitals: Evaluation of antibiotic prescriptions and determination of factors influencing relevance]. / Antibiothérapie en milieu hospitalier : évaluation des prescriptions d'antibiotiques et détermination des facteurs influençant la pertinence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relevance and compliance of antibiotic prescriptions made in a Tunisian hospital and study the factors likely to influence them. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, monocentric study of antibiotic prescriptions belonging to the Watch and Reserve Groups of the World Health Organization's AWaRe classification, between January 1 and February 29, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 310 antibiotic prescriptions were analyzed. Monotherapy represented 89,7 % of prescriptions. The most prescribed molecule was cefotaxime (42,8%). Antibiotic therapy was documented in 13% of cases. The antibiotic prescriptions were rational in 14,5% of cases. One third of prescriptions were irrelevant and 4,8% not justified. The dominant ground for non-compliance was unsuitable duration. The status of the prescriber and the prescribing service were factors influencing the relevance of prescriptions. CONCLUSION: Irrational use of antibiotics was common in this study. As a result, the establishment of an antibiotic therapy guide and a computerized decision-support tool seem essential to guarantee the quality of antibiotic prescriptions.

[Educational and information needs of patients under vitamin K antagonist therapy]. / Quels besoins d'information et d'éducation des patients traités par les anti-vitamines K ?

BACKGROUND: Adverse events related to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) represent a major public health problem. Informative tools and educative program contributes to the reduction of iatrogenic risk. The purpose of our study is to assess representations and information needs of patients under VKA therapy in order to develop a suitable therapeutic education program. METHODS: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted among both long term VKA therapy patient and patients initiating VKA. The thematic analysis allowed us to explore patient's speech qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: The main needs in information concerned the modalities of treatment (27.6%), side effects (24.1%), precautions and management of VKA treatment (24.1%). Origin of the disease (P=0.022) and drug mechanism of action (0.012) were specially asked about by patients initiating their treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients under VKA therapy reported needs for information on both their pathology and their anticoagulant therapy. The therapeutic education approach will enable us to adapt the educational tools and messages to the needs of patients under VKA therapy.

Bleeding and asymptomatic overdose in patients under Vitamin K antagonist therapy: Frequency and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonists are widely used in the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disease. However, these drugs can cause serious side effects, especially bleeding. This study aims to evaluate frequency and risk factors of both bleeding and asymptomatic overdose in North African patients undergoing Vitamin K antagonist therapy. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in patients undergoing Vitamin K antagonist therapy. A statistical analysis has been conducted to identify overdose and bleeding risk factors by using chi-square test (p < .05). RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients were included. We recorded 14 cases of bleeding and 26 cases of asymptomatic overdose. Advanced age, poor adherence, concomitant use of paracetamol and history of previous bleeding are significant risk factors of over-anticoagulation. An INR value over 6 at admission, a high therapeutic target range for INR, concomitant use of acetylsalicylic acid, lack of information on overdose signs and measures to be taken in case of bleeding were identified as risk factors for bleeding. CONCLUSION: Most of the risk factors identified in our study seem to be related to patients lack of information and education. These results highlight the importance of creating a therapeutic patient education program.