Factors influencing ceftriaxone use in community‐acquired pneumonia: Emergency doctors' perspectives. (10th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Almatar, Maher Ali; Peterson, Gregory M; Thompson, Angus; Zaidi, Syed Tabish R
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine Australasia. Volume 26:Number 6(2014)
• Page Start: 591
• Page End: 595
• Publication Date: 2014-11-10
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Australasia -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.12326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6731

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="emm12326-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To explore the perceptions of ED doctors regarding the use of ceftriaxone in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).</p> </sec> <sec id="emm12326-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with ED doctors in an Australian tertiary public hospital. A semi‐structured interview method was used for collecting data and a framework analysis approach utilised to identify emerging themes regarding the influences on ED prescribers when using ceftriaxone for CAP.</p> </sec> <sec id="emm12326-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Eight interviews were performed (two consultants, four registrars and two residents). Five main themes emerged as influencing decisions regarding the selection of ceftriaxone for patients with CAP: (i) clinical intuition <italic>versus</italic> structured evaluation of severity; (ii) clinical uncertainty; (iii) prior experience; (iv) source of guidance; and (v) prescribing etiquette.</p> </sec> <sec id="emm12326-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>As most cases of CAP are initially diagnosed and treated empirically in the ED, any interventions that aim to decrease inappropriate use of ceftriaxone for CAP should address the factors identified here that influence ED doctors' prescribing decisions.</p> </sec> </abstract>