Abstract
Background: Pneumonia is the biggest killer of children under 5 years of age throughout the world. The clinicians usually use broad-spectrum antibiotics for treating it against the guidelines and consequent hazards. We collaborated with American Academy of Pediatrics initiative of Value in inpatient pediatrics(VIP) Improving Community Acquired Pneumonia(ICAP) Quality improvement project to change the paradigm.
Objectives: To increase the use of narrow spectrum antibiotics (Ampicillin/amoxicillin) to 80% in emergency & inpatients & to decrease the use of macrolides to 5% in under 5 age group.
Methodology: We implemented series of interventions including information dissemination, interactive discussions and webinars with all care providers. The rates of antibiotic use/selection were determined by individual chart review at baseline and then over 5 improvement cycles. The Baseline percentages were compared with the final cycle using Fisher's exact test.
Results: Rates of narrow spectrum antibiotic use increased and rate of macrolide decreased in all the clinical settings (emergency, inpatient, discharge) more than the set goals
Conclusion: This real time experience of practicality of implementation of such approach can be an impetus for using narrow spectrum antibiotics for the clinicians.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
