Factors associated with antimicrobial choice for surgical prophylaxis in Australia. Issue 3 (18th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ierano, Courtney; Thursky, Karin; Peel, Trisha; Koning, Sonia; James, Rod; Johnson, Sandra; Hall, Lisa; Worth, Leon J; Marshall, Caroline
• Is Part Of: JAC-antimicrobial resistance. Volume 2:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07-18
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Drug resistance in microorganisms -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlaa036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2632-1823

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Cefazolin is the most commonly recommended antimicrobial for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP). However, the Australian Surgical National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey revealed a wide range of antimicrobials prescribed for SAP. Inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials is associated with increased patient harm and is a posited driver for antimicrobial resistance. Objectives: To describe patient, hospital and surgical factors that are associated with appropriateness of the top five prescribed antimicrobials/antimicrobial classes for procedural SAP. Methods: All procedures audited from 18 April 2016 to 15 April 2019 in the Surgical National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey were included in the analysis. Estimated marginal means analyses accounted for a range of variables and calculated a rate of adjusted appropriateness (AA). Subanalyses of the top five audited antimicrobials/antimicrobial classes identified associations between variables and appropriateness. Results: A total of 12 419 surgical episodes with 14 150 prescribed initial procedural doses were included for analysis. When procedural SAP was prescribed, appropriateness was low (57.7%). Allergy status, surgical procedure group and the presence of prosthetic material were positively associated with cefazolin and aminoglycoside appropriateness ( P < 0.05). There were no significant positive associations with glycopeptides and third/fourth-generation cephalosporins. The use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials was the most common reason for inappropriate choice (67.9% of metronidazole to 83.3% of third/fourth-generation cephalosporin prescriptions). Conclusions: Various factors influence appropriateness of procedural SAP choice. Identification of these factors provides targets for antimicrobial stewardship interventions, e.g. procedures where surgeons are regularly prescribing broad-spectrum SAP. These can be tailored to address local hospital prescribing practices.