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Lai H, Kolanko M, Li LM, Parkinson ME, Bourke NJ, Graham NSN, David MCB, Mallas EJ, Su B, Daniels S, Wilson D, Golemme M, Norman C, Jensen K, Jackson R, Tran M, Freemont PS, Wingfield D, Wilkinson T, Gregg EW, Tzoulaki I, Sharp DJ, Soreq E. Population incidence and associated mortality of urinary tract infection in people living with dementia. J Infect 2024; 88:106167. [PMID: 38679203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Urinary tract infections (UTIs) frequently cause hospitalisation and death in people living with dementia (PLWD). We examine UTI incidence and associated mortality among PLWD relative to matched controls and people with diabetes and investigate whether delayed or withheld treatment further impacts mortality. METHODS Data were extracted for n = 2,449,814 people aged ≥ 50 in Wales from 2000-2021, with groups matched by age, sex, and multimorbidity. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidences of UTI and mortality. Cox regression was used to study the effects of treatment timing. RESULTS UTIs in dementia (HR=2.18, 95 %CI [1.88-2.53], p < .0) and diabetes (1.21[1.01-1.45], p = .035) were associated with high mortality, with the highest risk in individuals with diabetes and dementia (both) (2.83[2.40-3.34], p < .0) compared to matched individuals with neither dementia nor diabetes. 5.4 % of untreated PLWD died within 60 days of GP diagnosis-increasing to 5.9 % in PLWD with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Incidences of UTI and associated mortality are high in PLWD, especially in those with diabetes and dementia. Delayed treatment for UTI is further associated with high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Lai
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Magdalena Kolanko
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Lucia M Li
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Megan E Parkinson
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Perioperative and Ageing Group, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Niall J Bourke
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AB, UK
| | - Neil S N Graham
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Michael C B David
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Emma-Jane Mallas
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Bowen Su
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sarah Daniels
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Danielle Wilson
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mara Golemme
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Claire Norman
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Brook Green Medical Centre, Hammersmith and Fulham GP Partnership, Bute Gardens, London W6 7EG, UK
| | - Kirsten Jensen
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Raphaella Jackson
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Martin Tran
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - Paul S Freemont
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Section of Structural and Synthetic Biology, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK
| | - David Wingfield
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Brook Green Medical Centre, Hammersmith and Fulham GP Partnership, Bute Gardens, London W6 7EG, UK
| | - Tim Wilkinson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Edward W Gregg
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; School of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ioanna Tzoulaki
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou Street, Athens 115 27, Greece
| | - David J Sharp
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Eyal Soreq
- UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre (UK DRI CR&T) at Imperial College London and the University of Surrey, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK.
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Kim NH, Han K, Ji E, Ahn S, Choi Y, Choi SJ, Moon SM, Song KH, Kim ES, Kim HB. Trends of antibiotic use at the end-of-life of cancer and non-cancer decedents: a nationwide population-based longitudinal study (2006-2018). ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2024; 4:e83. [PMID: 38751939 PMCID: PMC11094383 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2024.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to assess the actual burden of antibiotic use among end-of-life (EOL) patients in South Korea and to compare trends between cancer and non-cancer decedents. Design Population-based mortality follow-back study. Setting Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database, covering the period from January1, 2006, to December 31, 2018, provided for research by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), were used. Participants All decedents from 2006 to 2018 were included and categorized as cancer decedents or non-cancer decedents. Methods Annual antibiotic consumption rates and prescription rates were calculated, and Poisson regression was used to estimate their trends. Results Overall antibiotic consumption rates decreased slightly among decedents in their final month with a less pronounced annual decrease rate among cancer decedents compared to non-cancer decedents (0.4% vs 2.3% per year, P <.001). Over the study period, although narrow spectrum antibiotics were used less, utilization and prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics steadily increased, and prescription rates were higher in cancer decedents compared to non-cancer controls. Specifically, carbapenem prescription rates increased from 5.6% to 18.5%, (RR 1.087, 95% CI 1.085-1.088, P <.001) in cancer decedents and from 2.9% to 13.2% (RR 1.115, 95% CI 1.113-1.116, P <.001) in non-cancer decedents. Conclusions Our findings show that patients at the EOL, especially those with cancer, are increasingly and highly exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Measures of antibiotic stewardship are required among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nak-Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungdo Han
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjeong Ji
- Medical Research Collaborating Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Ahn
- Medical Research Collaborating Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunsang Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Jin Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Mi Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Eu Suk Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Bin Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
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3
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Mitchell SL, D'Agata EMC, Hanson LC, Loizeau AJ, Habtemariam DA, Tsai T, Anderson RA, Shaffer ML. The Trial to Reduce Antimicrobial Use in Nursing Home Residents With Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias (TRAIN-AD): A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med 2021; 181:1174-1182. [PMID: 34251396 PMCID: PMC8276127 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.3098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Antimicrobials are extensively prescribed to nursing home residents with advanced dementia, often without evidence of infection or consideration of the goals of care. OBJECTIVE To test the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to improve the management of suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) and lower respiratory infections (LRIs) for nursing home residents with advanced dementia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A cluster randomized clinical trial of 28 Boston-area nursing homes (14 per arm) and 426 residents with advanced dementia (intervention arm, 199 residents; control arm, 227 residents) was conducted from August 1, 2017, to April 30, 2020. INTERVENTIONS The intervention content integrated best practices from infectious diseases and palliative care for management of suspected UTIs and LRIs in residents with advanced dementia. Components targeting nursing home practitioners (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses) included an in-person seminar, an online course, management algorithms (posters, pocket cards), communication tips (pocket cards), and feedback reports on prescribing of antimicrobials. The residents' health care proxies received a booklet about infections in advanced dementia. Nursing homes in the control arm continued routine care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was antimicrobial treatment courses for suspected UTIs or LRIs per person-year. Outcomes were measured for as many as 12 months. Secondary outcomes were antimicrobial courses for suspected UTIs and LRIs when minimal criteria for treatment were absent per person-year and burdensome procedures used to manage these episodes (bladder catherization, chest radiography, venous blood sampling, or hospital transfer) per person-year. RESULTS The intervention arm had 199 residents (mean [SD] age, 87.7 [8.0] years; 163 [81.9%] women; 36 [18.1%] men), of which 163 (81.9%) were White and 27 (13.6%) were Black. The control arm had 227 residents (mean [SD] age, 85.3 [8.6] years; 190 [83.7%] women; 37 [16.3%] men), of which 200 (88.1%) were White and 22 (9.7%) were Black. There was a 33% (nonsignificant) reduction in antimicrobial treatment courses for suspected UTIs or LRIs per person-year in the intervention vs control arm (adjusted marginal rate difference, -0.27 [95% CI, -0.71 to 0.17]). This reduction was primarily attributable to reduced antimicrobial use for LRIs. The following secondary outcomes did not differ significantly between arms: antimicrobials initiated when minimal criteria were absent, bladder catheterizations, venous blood sampling, and hospital transfers. Chest radiography use was significantly lower in the intervention arm (adjusted marginal rate difference, -0.56 [95% CI, -1.10 to -0.03]). In-person or online training was completed by 88% of the targeted nursing home practitioners. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cluster randomized clinical trial found that despite high adherence to the training, a multicomponent intervention promoting goal-directed care for suspected UTIs and LRIs did not significantly reduce antimicrobial use among nursing home residents with advanced dementia. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03244917.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Mitchell
- Hebrew SeniorLife, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erika M C D'Agata
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Laura C Hanson
- Palliative Care Program, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | - Andrea J Loizeau
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel A Habtemariam
- Hebrew SeniorLife, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Timothy Tsai
- Hebrew SeniorLife, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ruth A Anderson
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | - Michele L Shaffer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey.,Frank Statistical Consulting LLC, Vashon, Washington
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4
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Seaton RA, Cooper L, Gibbons CL, Malcolm W, Choo-Kang B, Griffith D, Dundas S, Brittain S, Hamilton K, Jeffreys D, McKinney R, Guthrie D, Sneddon J. Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infection in patients with suspected and proven COVID-19: results from an antibiotic point prevalence survey in Scottish hospitals. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2021; 3:dlab078. [PMID: 34223137 PMCID: PMC8211567 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial co-infection is infrequently observed with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection outside of critical care, however, antibiotics are commonly prescribed. Objectives To examine factors associated with antibiotic prescribing for suspected respiratory tract infection (RTI) and evaluate the nature and dynamics of prescribing in hospitalized patients with suspected and proven COVID-19 infection. Methods An antibiotic point prevalence survey in hospitalized adult patients was conducted in designated COVID-19 clinical areas (including critical care) in 15 Scottish hospitals. Antibiotics prescribed for RTI and factors associated with prescribing were investigated. Results Of 820 surveyed patients, 272 (prevalence 33.3%) received antibiotics for suspected RTI on the survey day and 58.8% were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Antibiotics were empirical in 91.9% and amoxicillin (24.6%), doxycycline (20.5%) and co-amoxiclav (15%) were most frequently prescribed. Oral antibiotics were prescribed in 54.5% and duration was recorded in 76.7% on wards for a median of 5 days. IV to oral switch occurred after a median of 2 days. Prescribing for RTI was independently and positively associated with COPD/chronic lung disease, purulent/bloody sputum, abnormal chest X-ray, and CRP ≥ 100 mg/L. Probable and definite hospital-acquired COVID-19 and diabetes were associated with a lower odds of receiving an antibiotic for RTI. Conclusions Antibiotic prescribing for suspected RTI was commonly observed and predominantly empirical in suspected or proven COVID-19. Initiatives to reinforce stewardship principles including clinical review, effective use of microbiological diagnostics and better understanding of the role of biomarkers are central to further limit unnecessary antibiotic therapy in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Andrew Seaton
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK.,Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 48 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP, UK
| | - Lesley Cooper
- Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 48 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP, UK
| | - Cheryl L Gibbons
- Public Health Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 6QE, UK
| | - William Malcolm
- ARHAI Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 6QE, UK
| | - Brian Choo-Kang
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK
| | - David Griffith
- Department of Microbiology, Victoria Infirmary, Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5AH, UK
| | - Stephanie Dundas
- Infection Unit, University Hospital Monklands, Monkscourt Avenue, Airdrie, ML6 OJS, UK
| | - Suzanne Brittain
- Antimicrobial Management Team, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Health Campus, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, UK
| | - Kayleigh Hamilton
- Antimicrobial Management Team, University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock Road, Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, KA2 0BE, UK
| | - Danielle Jeffreys
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3UJ
| | - Rachel McKinney
- Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Debbie Guthrie
- Pharmacy Department, Ninewells Hospital, James Arrott Drive, Dundee, DD2 1SG, UK
| | - Jacqueline Sneddon
- Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Delta House, 48 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP, UK
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5
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Seaton RA, Cooper L, Fairweather J, Fenning S, Ferguson L, Galbraith S, Duffy T, Sneddon J. Antibiotic use towards the end of life: development of good practice recommendations. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2021:bmjspcare-2020-002732. [PMID: 33468509 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Development of evidence-based good practice recommendations for clinicians considering the use of antibiotics in patients towards the end of life. DESIGN A multiprofessional group of experts in end-of-life care and antimicrobial stewardship was convened. Findings from a scoping review of the literature and a consultation of clinicians were triangulated. Expert discussion was used to generate consensus on how to approach decision-making. SETTING Representatives from hospital and a range of community health and care settings. PARTICIPANTS Medical, pharmacy and nursing professionals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Good practice recommendations based on published evidence and the experience of prescribers in Scotland. RESULTS The findings of 88 uncontrolled, observational studies of variable quality were considered alongside a survey of over 200 prescribers. No national or international guidelines were identified. Antibiotic use towards the end of life was common but practice was highly variable. The potential harms associated with giving antibiotics tended to be less well considered than the potential benefits. Antibiotics often extended the length of time to death but this was sometimes at the cost of higher symptom burden. There was strong consensus around the importance of effective communication with patients and their families and making treatment decisions aligned to a patient's goals and priorities. CONCLUSIONS Good practice recommendations were agreed with focus on three areas: making shared decisions about future care; agreeing clear goals and limits of therapy; reviewing all antibiotic prescribing decisions regularly. These will be disseminated widely to support optimal care for patients towards the end of life. A patient version of the recommendations has also been produced to support implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Andrew Seaton
- Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Infectious diseases, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lesley Cooper
- Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jack Fairweather
- Department of Renal Medicine, University Hospital Monklands, Airdrie, UK
| | | | | | - Susan Galbraith
- East Renfewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tony Duffy
- Saint Margaret of Scotland Hospice, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, UK
| | - Jacqueline Sneddon
- Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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