Implementation of a simple innovative system for postprescription antibiotic review based on computerized tools with shared access.

BACKGROUND: Controlling antibiotic use in healthcare establishments limits their consumption and the emergence of bacterial resistance. AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of an innovative antibiotic stewardship strategy implemented over three years in a university hospital. METHODS: An antimicrobial multi-disciplinary team (AMT) [pharmacist, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist (IDS)] conducted a postprescription review. Specific coding of targeted antibiotics (including broad-spectrum ß-lactams, glycopeptides, lipopeptides, fluoroquinolones and carbapenems) in the computerized physician order entry allowed recording of all new prescriptions. The data [patient, antibiotic(s), prescription start date, etc.] were registered on an AMT spreadsheet with shared access, where the microbiologist's opinion on the drug choice, based on available microbiology results, was entered. When the microbiologist and pharmacist did not approve the antibiotic prescribed, a same-day alert was generated and sent to the IDS. That alert led the IDS to re-evaluate the treatment. FINDINGS: From 2012 to 2014, 2106 targeted antibiotic prescriptions were reviewed. Among them, 389 (18.5%) generated an alert and 293 (13.9%) were re-evaluated by the IDS. Recommendations (mostly de-escalation or discontinuation) were necessary for 136 (46.4%) and the prescribers' acceptance rate was 97%. The estimated intervention time was <30 min/day for each AMT member. This system allowed correct use of targeted antibiotics for 91.8% of prescriptions, but had no significant impact on targeted antibiotic consumption. CONCLUSION: This computerized, shared access, antibiotic stewardship strategy seems to be time saving, and effectively limited misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

[Botulinum toxin and the hospital pharmacy]. / Toxine botulinique et pharmacie hospitalière.

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein synthesized by Clostridium botulinum. Among approved indications for type A pharmaceutical formulations is the treatment of upper limb spasticity in post-stroke patients. Neurologists and rehabilitator physicians have extended their use to treat other types of muscles spasticity. In 2002, most of prescriptions in France were off-label. The activity of the R. Poincaré hospital is dedicated to treating handicapped patients. Working in close collaboration, prescribing physicians and hospital pharmacists elaborated a set of guidelines for the use of botulinum toxin type A. The protocol includes a specific order form, pharmaceutical validation of prescriptions and distribution follow-up. The numbers of prescriptions and treated patients have greatly increased from 2003 to 2005. As a consequence to the extension of marketing authorization for indications for the use of botulinum toxin type A in 2005, 77% of treated therapeutic indications are now compliant to marketing authorization specifications. Through prescription analysis, in-hospital pharmacists participate in the implementation of guidelines for follow-up and management of medical expenditures.