| Source: |
García-Sangenís, A, Lykkegaard, J, Hansen, M P, González López-Valcárcel, B, Raynal, F, Vallejo-Torres, L, Bjerrum, L, Chalkidou, A, Jensen, J N, Rebnord, I, Lindberg, B H, Taxis, K, Lambert, M, Radzeviciene, R, Jaruseviciene, L, Touboul Lundgren, P, Bruno, P, Lesage, V, Kowalczyk, A, Godycki-Cwirko, M, Lionis, C, Karkana, M-N, Anastasaki, M, Hansen, M B, Olsen, J K, Søndergaard, J, Modena, D, Mally, S, Álvarez, L & Llor, C 2025, 'Impact of a multifaceted intervention programme on antibiotic prescribing and dispensing in four patient-centred settings in five European countries : The HAPPY PATIENT project', Family practice, vol. 42, no. 2, .... |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND: The primary cause of antimicrobial resistance is excessive and non-indicated antibiotic use. AIM: To evaluate the impact of a multifaceted intervention aimed at various healthcare professionals (HCPs) on antibiotic prescribing and dispensing for common infections. DESIGN AND SETTING: Before-and-after study set in general practice, out-of-hours services, nursing homes, and community pharmacies in France, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, and Spain. METHODS: Following the Audit Project Odense method, HCPs from these four settings self-registered encounters with patients related to antibiotic prescribing and dispensing before and after an intervention (February-April 2022 and February-April 2023). Prior to the second registration, the HCPs undertook a multifaceted intervention, which included reviewing and discussing feedback on the first registration's results, enhancing communication skills, and providing communication tools. Indicators to identify potentially unnecessary prescriptions and non-first-line antibiotic choices were developed, and the results of the two registrations were compared. RESULTS: A total of 345 HCPs registered 10 744 infections in the first registration period and 10 207 infections in the second period. In general practice, participants showed a significant 9.8% reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in the second period, whereas limited or no effect was observed in out-of-hours services and nursing homes (0.8% reduction and 4.5% increase, respectively). Pharmacies demonstrated an 18% increase in safety checks, and correct advice in pharmacies rose by 17%. CONCLUSION: External factors like COVID-19, antibiotic shortages, and a streptococcal epidemic impacted the intervention's benefits. Despite this, the intervention successfully improved antibiotic use in both settings. |