CMAJ. 2016 Feb 2;188(2):108-15. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.150601. Epub 2015 Nov 16.

Intervention to improve the quality of antimicrobial prescribing for urinary tract infection: a cluster randomized trial.

Vellinga A, Galvin S, Duane S, Callan A, Bennett K, Cormican M, Domegan C, Murphy AW.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Overuse of antimicrobial therapy in the community adds to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, which is jeopardizing the treatment of common infections.

METHODS:

We designed a cluster randomized complex intervention to improve antimicrobial prescribing for urinary tract infection in Irish general practice. During a 3-month baseline period, all practices received a workshop to promote consultation coding for urinary tract infections. Practices in intervention arms A and B received a second workshop with information on antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and a practice audit report (baseline data). Practices in intervention arm B received additional evidence on delayed prescribing of antimicrobials for suspected urinary tract infection. A reminder integrated into the patient management software suggested first-line treatment and, for practices in arm B, delayed prescribing. Over the 6-month intervention, practices in arms A and B received monthly audit reports of antimicrobial prescribing.

RESULTS:

The proportion of antimicrobial prescribing according to guidelines for urinary tract infection increased in arms A and B relative to control (adjusted overall odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 to 3.2; arm A adjusted OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 4.1; arm B adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.0). An unintended increase in antimicrobial prescribing was observed in the intervention arms relative to control (arm A adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.0; arm B adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.1). Improvements in guideline-based prescribing were sustained at 5 months after the intervention.

INTERPRETATION:

A complex intervention, including audit reports and reminders, improved the quality of prescribing for urinary tract infection in Irish general practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT01913860.

© 2016 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.

Comment in

• Changing the antibiotic prescribing behaviour of clinicians in primary care. [CMAJ. 2016]
• Infection: The path of least resistance. [Nat Rev Urol. 2016]

PMID:26573754PMCID:PMC4732960DOI:10.1503/cmaj.150601[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

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