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Improving the prescribing of antibiotics for urinary tract infection
Citation
Peterson, GM and Stanton, L and Bergin, JK and Chapman, GA, Improving the prescribing of antibiotics for urinary tract infection, Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 22, (2) pp. 147-153. ISSN 0269-4727 (1997) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
The definitive published version is available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
Official URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.1997.tb00009.x
Abstract
Background: In recent years there have been changes in the recommended antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs). In particular, the use of amoxycillin or co-trimoxazole is now discouraged, with amoxycillin用otassium clavulanate, cephalexin and trimethoprim becoming first-line agents for uncomplicated lower UTIs.
Aim: To examine whether academic detailing, performed by a pharmacist, could modify prescribing practices for antibiotics used in the treatment of UTI in the community setting.
Methods: The intervention was conducted in Southern Tasmania, using the remainder of the State as a control area. The target group of general practitioners was sent educational material designed to assist in the appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in the treatment of UTI. A pharmacist then visited each general practitioner and discussed the rational use of antibiotics for UTIs directly with him/her. Outcomes were measured using evaluation feedback from the general practitioners and pharmacoepidemiological data, which were not linked to diagnosis. The key variable examined was the total defined daily doses (DDDs) dispensed for the recommended first-line agents (amoxycillin用otassium clavulanate, cephalexin and trimethoprim) compared with amoxycillin (3 g single-dose form) and co-trimoxazole.
Results: The educational programme was very well received by the general practitioners. Changes in the prescribing of antibiotics commonly used for UTIs were evident in both study regions over the course of the study, but the improvements were significantly greater in the intervention area.
Conclusion: Educational programmes utilizing academic detailing by pharmacists can modify prescribing practices within the community setting.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
| Research Group: | Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences |
| Research Field: | Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Other health |
| Objective Field: | Other health not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | Peterson, GM (Professor Gregory Peterson) |
| UTAS Author: | Stanton, L (Ms L. Stanton) |
| UTAS Author: | Bergin, JK (Ms Bergin) |
| ID Code: | 11549 |
| Year Published: | 1997 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 29 |
| Deposited By: | Pharmacy |
| Deposited On: | 1997-08-01 |
| Last Modified: | 2011-10-24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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