Mrs Helen Willing1 , Emmajane O’Donoghue2
1Norwest Private Hospital, Healthscope., Bellavista, Australia
2HICMR Pty Ltd
Introduction:
Antimicrobial stewardship is a challenging area in which to bring about improvement. Results of audits need to be communicated to the prescriber but, who is the prescriber?
Methods:
Prophylactic antibiotics for patients that underwent a lower section caesarean section were reviewed for a given month. Antibiotic, dose and timing were recorded. This was in accordance with the current version of the Therapeutic Guideline Antibiotic. A report including two graphs was presented to the Obstetricians. One by obstetrician and the other by anaesthetist, both de-identified. Prescribing did not appear to be under the direction of the obstetricians.
Results:
Compliance for correct dosage was at 72%. A knowledge gap was identified in obstetricians in regards to the correct dose. A repeat audit conducted four months after the information was shared demonstrated a significant improvement.
Conclusion:
Presentation of data can make a difference.
Biography:
I am a Registered Nurse and have worked in the field of infection prevention and control for almost five years. I have the responsibility of coordinating and implementing the infection control program, including staff health at a large Sydney Private Hospital.
In March this year I completed my graduate certificate in Infection Prevention and Control with Griffith University.
