Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Schistosomiasis , Africa , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Schistosomiasis/epidemiology , StudentsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Residents in nursing homes have a higher risk of developing infections that require antibiotic treatment than elderly people living at home. Use of antibiotics may cause adverse effects and result in the development of antimicrobial resistance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data on healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic use in 540 Norwegian nursing homes were retrieved from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's point prevalence survey in the spring of 2016. Based on information on drug, dosage and indication, we assessed whether the use of antibiotics for the treatment of UTIs was in accordance with the National Guidelines for the Use of Antibiotics in Primary Care. RESULTS: UTI was the most commonly occurring type of infection, with a prevalence of 2.7 %. Prescription of first-line antibiotics accounted for approximately 60 % of the prescriptions for treatment of this illness. Choice of drug, dosage and microbiological testing when treating lower UTIs was not always in accordance with the national guidelines. The study showed widespread use of methenamine in Norwegian nursing homes. INTERPRETATION: The survey indicates that compliance with the national guidelines when treating lower UTIs could be improved with regard to the choice of drug, dosage and microbiological testing. Norwegian nursing home doctors should also consider whether their use of methenamine is in accordance with national and international recommendations.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections , Cross Infection , Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Nursing Homes , Aged , Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Bacterial Infections/prevention & control , Bacteriuria/drug therapy , Bacteriuria/epidemiology , Bacteriuria/prevention & control , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Prescriptions/standards , Drug Utilization , Guideline Adherence , Humans , Methenamine/therapeutic use , Norway/epidemiology , Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy , Urinary Tract Infections/epidemiology , Urinary Tract Infections/prevention & controlABSTRACT
BACKGROUND One of the objectives in the action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance in the health services in Norway is to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals. This study describes the use of certain broad-spectrum antibiotics mentioned in the action plan in Norwegian hospitals, and assesses prescribing practices in relation to the Norwegian guidelines for antibiotic use in hospitals.MATERIAL AND METHOD Data were analysed from a nationwide non-identifiable point prevalence survey in May 2016 where all systemic use of antibiotics was recorded.RESULTS Broad-spectrum antibiotics accounted for 33 % of all antibiotics prescribed. Altogether 84 % of all broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed as treatment, 8 % were for prophylactic use, and 8 % were classified as other/unknown. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent indication for treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, involving 30 % of all broad-spectrum treatment.INTERPRETATION This point prevalence survey in Norwegian hospitals in spring 2016 indicates a possibility for reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections and for prophylactic use. Reduction of healthcare-associated infections may also contribute.
