CRACKDOWN ON ANTIBIOTICS IN HOSPITAL

Pharmacists have been asked to cut down the Royal Devon amp; Exeter Hospital's use of antibiotics.

The RD &E believes tackling overuse of antibiotics will contribute towards the recovery of patients as well as reduce the risk of infection.

A research project funded by the European Commission in 2005 concluded that antibiotic and infection control measures have a significant impact on levels of the hospital superbug MRSA, which is resistant to most types of antibiotic.

Out of around 300 European hospitals studied, those with the highest MRSA prevalence also had the greatest levels of antibiotic use.

Now, as part of a pilot scheme, clinical pharmacists are studying antibiotic prescriptions for two wards at the RD &E.

The wards specialise in illnesses which are usually treated with antibiotics and the two clinical pharmacists will ensure the right type of antibiotics are being used and the right course is being prescribed.

One of the clinical pharmacists will work with doctors to monitor prescriptions and advice on alternatives. The other will audit the data to update guidelines and training for the future.

The pilot is one of a series of infection control measures being taken by the hospital. An RD &E spokeswoman said: "Overuse of antibiotics increases the potential for infections to become resistant to the antibiotics.

"If antibiotics are used for any longer than the absolute optimum time, it can then compromise the health and well-being of a patient.

"The range of infection control measures being taken at the RD &E reflects trust-wide responsibility with the support and co-operation of patients and visitors."

There are a number of bacteria in people's bowels which cause no harm, but overuse of antibiotics can kill them, allowing small amounts of Clostridium difficile present there to reproduce in large numbers. This can cause diarrhoea, cramps, loss of appetite, fever and nausea.

The hospital's efforts to reduce infection also involves a team working across the hospital trust examining the use of intravenous medication.

Over the year, senior vascular access nurse specialist Vicky Shawyer, and vascular nurse specialists Helen Williamson and Barbara Hector, will assess IV access - fluid or medicine going directly into a vein - ensuring patients are assessed and given the appropriate IV device for their healthcare needs. They will carry out audit work to ensure the risk of infection is reduced.

Both this work and that carried out by the clinical pharmacists has been partly funded by the South West Strategic Health Authority.

Other initiatives being introduced at the hospital with the SHA include more patient handling aids to allow them to be regularly washed.

Source:www.thisisexeter.co.uk