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Cisco G, Meier AN, Senn N, Mueller Y, Kronenberg A, Locatelli I, Knüsli J, Lhopitallier L, Boillat-Blanco N, Marti J. Cost-effectiveness analysis of procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography guided antibiotic prescriptions in primary care. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2024:10.1007/s10198-024-01694-y. [PMID: 38761244 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01694-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance comes with high morbidity and mortality burden, and ultimately high impact on healthcare and social costs. Efficient strategies are needed to limit antibiotic overuse. This paper investigates the cost-effectiveness of testing patients with lower respiratory tract infection with procalcitonin, either at the point-of-care only or combined with lung ultrasonography. These diagnostic tools help detect the presence of bacterial pneumonia, guiding prescription decisions. The clinical responses of these strategies were studied in the primary care setting. Evidence is needed on their cost-effectiveness. We used data from a cluster-randomized bi-centric clinical trial conducted in Switzerland and estimated patient-level costs using data on resource use to which we applied Swiss tariffs. Combining the incremental costs of the two strategies and the reduction in the 28-days antibiotic prescription rate (APR) compared to usual care, we calculated Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICER). We also used the Cost-Effectiveness Acceptability Curve as an analytical decision-making tool. The robustness of the findings is ensured by Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis and scenario analysis. In the base case scenario, the ICER compared to usual care is $2.3 per percentage point (pp) reduction in APR for the procalcitonin group, and $4.4 for procalcitonin-ultrasound combined. Furthermore, we found that for a willingness to pay per patient of more than $2 per pp reduction in the APR, procalcitonin is the strategy with the highest probability to be cost-effective. Our findings suggest that testing patients with respiratory symptoms with procalcitonin to guide antibiotic prescription in the primary care setting represents good value for money.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Cisco
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Armando N Meier
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Senn
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kronenberg
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Locatelli
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - José Knüsli
- Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Noemie Boillat-Blanco
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Marti
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Guitart C, Bobillo-Perez S, Rodríguez-Fanjul J, Carrasco JL, Brotons P, López-Ramos MG, Cambra FJ, Balaguer M, Jordan I. Lung ultrasound and procalcitonin, improving antibiotic management and avoiding radiation exposure in pediatric critical patients with bacterial pneumonia: a randomized clinical trial. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:222. [PMID: 38581075 PMCID: PMC10998368 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01712-y] [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: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumonia is a major public health problem with an impact on morbidity and mortality. Its management still represents a challenge. The aim was to determine whether a new diagnostic algorithm combining lung ultrasound (LUS) and procalcitonin (PCT) improved pneumonia management regarding antibiotic use, radiation exposure, and associated costs, in critically ill pediatric patients with suspected bacterial pneumonia (BP). METHODS Randomized, blinded, comparative effectiveness clinical trial. Children < 18y with suspected BP admitted to the PICU from September 2017 to December 2019, were included. PCT was determined at admission. Patients were randomized into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) if LUS or chest X-ray (CXR) were done as the first image test, respectively. Patients were classified: 1.LUS/CXR not suggestive of BP and PCT < 1 ng/mL, no antibiotics were recommended; 2.LUS/CXR suggestive of BP, regardless of the PCT value, antibiotics were recommended; 3.LUS/CXR not suggestive of BP and PCT > 1 ng/mL, antibiotics were recommended. RESULTS 194 children were enrolled, 113 (58.2%) females, median age of 134 (IQR 39-554) days. 96 randomized into EG and 98 into CG. 1. In 75/194 patients the image test was not suggestive of BP with PCT < 1 ng/ml; 29/52 in the EG and 11/23 in the CG did not receive antibiotics. 2. In 101 patients, the image was suggestive of BP; 34/34 in the EG and 57/67 in the CG received antibiotics. Statistically significant differences between groups were observed when PCT resulted < 1 ng/ml (p = 0.01). 3. In 18 patients the image test was not suggestive of BP but PCT resulted > 1 ng/ml, all of them received antibiotics. A total of 0.035 mSv radiation/patient was eluded. A reduction of 77% CXR/patient was observed. LUS did not significantly increase costs. CONCLUSIONS Combination of LUS and PCT showed no risk of mistreating BP, avoided radiation and did not increase costs. The algorithm could be a reliable tool for improving pneumonia management. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04217980.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmina Guitart
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunological and Respiratory Disorders in the Pediatric Critical Patient Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950, Esplugues de Llogregat, Spain
| | - Sara Bobillo-Perez
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunological and Respiratory Disorders in the Pediatric Critical Patient Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950, Esplugues de Llogregat, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Fanjul
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - José Luis Carrasco
- Department of Basic Clinical Practice, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Brotons
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco José Cambra
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Balaguer
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
- Immunological and Respiratory Disorders in the Pediatric Critical Patient Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950, Esplugues de Llogregat, Spain.
| | - Iolanda Jordan
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Immunological and Respiratory Disorders in the Pediatric Critical Patient Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa 39-57, 08950, Esplugues de Llogregat, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Bessat C, Bingisser R, Schwendinger M, Bulaty T, Fournier Y, Della Santa V, Pfeil M, Schwab D, Leuppi JD, Geigy N, Steuer S, Roos F, Christ M, Sirova A, Espejo T, Riedel H, Atzl A, Napieralski F, Marti J, Cisco G, Foley RA, Schindler M, Hartley MA, Fayet A, Garcia E, Locatelli I, Albrich WC, Hugli O, Boillat-Blanco N. PLUS-IS-LESS project: Procalcitonin and Lung UltraSonography-based antibiotherapy in patients with Lower rESpiratory tract infection in Swiss Emergency Departments: study protocol for a pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial. Trials 2024; 25:86. [PMID: 38273319 PMCID: PMC10809691 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07795-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are among the most frequent infections and a significant contributor to inappropriate antibiotic prescription. Currently, no single diagnostic tool can reliably identify bacterial pneumonia. We thus evaluate a multimodal approach based on a clinical score, lung ultrasound (LUS), and the inflammatory biomarker, procalcitonin (PCT) to guide prescription of antibiotics. LUS outperforms chest X-ray in the identification of pneumonia, while PCT is known to be elevated in bacterial and/or severe infections. We propose a trial to test their synergistic potential in reducing antibiotic prescription while preserving patient safety in emergency departments (ED). METHODS The PLUS-IS-LESS study is a pragmatic, stepped-wedge cluster-randomized, clinical trial conducted in 10 Swiss EDs. It assesses the PLUS algorithm, which combines a clinical prediction score, LUS, PCT, and a clinical severity score to guide antibiotics among adults with LRTIs, compared with usual care. The co-primary endpoints are the proportion of patients prescribed antibiotics and the proportion of patients with clinical failure by day 28. Secondary endpoints include measurement of change in quality of life, length of hospital stay, antibiotic-related side effects, barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the algorithm, cost-effectiveness of the intervention, and identification of patterns of pneumonia in LUS using machine learning. DISCUSSION The PLUS algorithm aims to optimize prescription of antibiotics through improved diagnostic performance and maximization of physician adherence, while ensuring safety. It is based on previously validated tests and does therefore not expose participants to unforeseeable risks. Cluster randomization prevents cross-contamination between study groups, as physicians are not exposed to the intervention during or before the control period. The stepped-wedge implementation of the intervention allows effect calculation from both between- and within-cluster comparisons, which enhances statistical power and allows smaller sample size than a parallel cluster design. Moreover, it enables the training of all centers for the intervention, simplifying implementation if the results prove successful. The PLUS algorithm has the potential to improve the identification of LRTIs that would benefit from antibiotics. When scaled, the expected reduction in the proportion of antibiotics prescribed has the potential to not only decrease side effects and costs but also mitigate antibiotic resistance. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered on July 19, 2022, on the ClinicalTrials.gov registry using reference number: NCT05463406. TRIAL STATUS Recruitment started on December 5, 2022, and will be completed on November 3, 2024. Current protocol version is version 3.0, dated April 3, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Bessat
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital of Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Roland Bingisser
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Tim Bulaty
- Emergency Department, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Fournier
- Emergency Department, Intercantonal Hospital of Broye, Payerne, Switzerland
| | | | - Magali Pfeil
- Emergency Department, Hospital Riviera-Chablais, Rennaz, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Schwab
- Emergency Department, Hospital Riviera-Chablais, Rennaz, Switzerland
| | - Jörg D Leuppi
- Emergency Department and University Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Geigy
- Emergency Department and University Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Steuer
- Emergency Department, St Claraspital, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Christ
- Emergency Department, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Adriana Sirova
- Emergency Department, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Tanguy Espejo
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henk Riedel
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Atzl
- Emergency Department, Cantonal Hospital of St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Napieralski
- Emergency Department, Cantonal Hospital of St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Marti
- Health Economics and Policy Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulio Cisco
- Health Economics and Policy Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rose-Anna Foley
- Qualitative research platform, social sciences sector, Department of Epidemiology and Health Services, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Health Sciences HESAV, University of Applied sciences of Western Switzerland, HES-SO, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Melinée Schindler
- Qualitative research platform, social sciences sector, Department of Epidemiology and Health Services, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mary-Anne Hartley
- Intelligent Global Health Research Group, Machine Learning and Optimization Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Fayet
- Clinical Research Center (CRC), University Hospital of Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elena Garcia
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Locatelli
- Health Economics and Policy Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Werner C Albrich
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Hugli
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Boillat-Blanco
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital of Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Geis D, Canova N, Lhopitallier L, Kronenberg A, Meuwly JY, Senn N, Mueller Y, Fasseur F, Boillat-Blanco N. Exploration of the Acceptance of the Use of Procalcitonin Point-of-Care Testing and Lung Ultrasonography by General Practitioners to Decide on Antibiotic Prescriptions for Lower Respiratory Infections: A Qualitative Study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e063922. [PMID: 37169498 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the acceptance and opinions of general practitioners (GPs) on the use of procalcitonin point-of-care and lung ultrasonography for managing patients with lower respiratory tract infections in primary care. We suppose that there are several factors that can influence the physician's antibiotic prescribing decision, and the implementation of a new tool will only be possible when it can be inserted into the physician's daily practice, helping him/her in the decision-making process. DESIGN Semistructured interviews; data analysis using the grounded theory method. SETTING Lausanne, Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS 12 GPs who participated in the randomised clinical trial UltraPro, which evaluated the impact of the use of procalcitonin only or an algorithm combining procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography on antibiotic prescription. RESULTS GPs had mostly positive attitudes towards the use of point-of-care procalcitonin in lower respiratory tract infections and uncertainties regarding the usefulness of ultrasonography. Physicians' prescribing decisions result from interactions between three kinds of TrustS (core category): 'self-confidence', 'trust in the results' and 'trust in the doctor-patient relationship'. Procalcitonin reinforced the three levels of trust, while ultrasonography only strengthened the physician-patient relationship. To facilitate implementation of procalcitonin, physicians pointed out the need of coverage by insurance and of clear guidelines describing the targeted patient population. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that there is a preference for the implementation of procalcitonin rather than lung ultrasonography for the management of patients with lower respiratory tract infections in primary care. Coverage by insurance plans and updated guidelines are prerequisite to the successful implementation of procalcitonin testing in primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03191071.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Geis
- Research Center for Psychology of Health, Aging and Sport Examination (PHASE), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nina Canova
- Research Center for Psychology of Health, Aging and Sport Examination (PHASE), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Lhopitallier
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- gare10 medical practice, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kronenberg
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Medix General Practice, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Meuwly
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Department of Family Medicine, Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Fasseur
- Research Center for Psychology of Health, Aging and Sport Examination (PHASE), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Fischer C, Knüsli J, Lhopitallier L, Tenisch E, Meuwly MG, Douek P, Meuwly JY, D’Acremont V, Kronenberg A, Locatelli I, Mueller Y, Senn N, Boillat-Blanco N. Pulse Oximetry as an Aid to Rule Out Pneumonia among Patients with a Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Primary Care. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:496. [PMID: 36978363 PMCID: PMC10044291 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Guidelines recommend chest X-rays (CXRs) to diagnose pneumonia and guide antibiotic treatment. This study aimed to identify clinical predictors of pneumonia that are visible on a chest X-ray (CXR+) which could support ruling out pneumonia and avoiding unnecessary CXRs, including oxygen saturation. A secondary analysis was performed in a clinical trial that included patients with suspected pneumonia in Swiss primary care. CXRs were reviewed by two radiologists. We evaluated the association between clinical signs (heart rate > 100/min, respiratory rate ≥ 24/min, temperature ≥ 37.8 °C, abnormal auscultation, and oxygen saturation < 95%) and CXR+ using multivariate analysis. We also calculated the diagnostic performance of the associated clinical signs combined in a clinical decision rule (CDR), as well as a CDR derived from a large meta-analysis (at least one of the following: heart rate > 100/min, respiratory rate ≥ 24/min, temperature ≥ 37.8 °C, or abnormal auscultation). Out of 469 patients from the initial trial, 107 had a CXR and were included in this study. Of these, 26 (24%) had a CXR+. We found that temperature and oxygen saturation were associated with CXR+. A CDR based on the presence of either temperature ≥ 37.8 °C and/or an oxygen saturation level < 95% had a sensitivity of 69% and a negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.45. The CDR from the meta-analysis had a sensitivity of 92% and an LR- of 0.37. The addition of saturation < 95% to this CDR increased the sensitivity (96%) and decreased the LR- (0.21). In conclusion, this study suggests that pulse oximetry could be added to a simple CDR to decrease the probability of pneumonia to an acceptable level and avoid unnecessary CXRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Fischer
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - José Knüsli
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Estelle Tenisch
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Garance Meuwly
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pauline Douek
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Meuwly
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valérie D’Acremont
- Digital Global Health Department, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kronenberg
- Medix General Practice, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Locatelli
- Department of Education, Research, and Innovation, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Department of Family Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Boillat-Blanco
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Knüsli J, Lhopitallier L, Kronenberg A, Meuwly JY, Opota O, Perrenoud MA, Page MA, Kain KC, Mamin A, D’Acremont V, Senn N, Mueller Y, Locatelli I, Boillat-Blanco N. Overruling of Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care: Ancillary Study of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020377. [PMID: 36830288 PMCID: PMC9952660 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in primary care are a promising target for antibiotic stewardship. A clinical trial in Switzerland showed a large decrease in antibiotic prescriptions with procalcitonin guidance (cut-off < 0.25 µg/L) compared with usual care. However, one-third of patients with low procalcitonin at baseline received antibiotics by day 28. AIM To explore the factors associated with the overruling of initial procalcitonin guidance. DESIGN AND SETTING Secondary analysis of a cluster randomized trial in which patients with an LRTI were included. METHOD Using the characteristics of patients, their disease, and general practitioners (GPs), we conducted a multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for clustering. RESULTS Ninety-five out of 301 (32%) patients with low procalcitonin received antibiotics by day 28. Factors associated with an overruling of procalcitonin guidance were: a history of chest pain (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.03-3.17); a prescription of chest X-ray by the GP (aOR 4.65, 2.32-9.34); a C-reactive protein measured retrospectively above 100 mg/L (aOR 7.48, 2.34-23.93, reference ≤ 20 mg/L); the location of the GP practice in an urban setting (aOR 2.27, 1.18-4.37); and the GP's number of years of experience (aOR per year 1.05, 1.01-1.09). CONCLUSIONS Overruling of procalcitonin guidance was associated with GPs' socio-demographic characteristics, pointing to the general behavioral problem of overprescription by physicians. Continuous medical education and communication training might support the successful implementation of procalcitonin point-of-care tests aimed at antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Knüsli
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Loïc Lhopitallier
- Gare10 Lausanne General Practice, Av. de la gare 10, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kronenberg
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 51, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
- Medix General Practice, Bubenbergplatz 8, 3011 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Meuwly
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Onya Opota
- Microbiology Institute, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc-Antoine Perrenoud
- Microbiology Institute, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Anne Page
- Microbiology Institute, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kevin C. Kain
- Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 105 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E6, Canada
| | - Aline Mamin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Valérie D’Acremont
- Digital Global Health Department, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Department of Family Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Locatelli
- Department of Education, Research, and Innovation, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Boillat-Blanco
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Suttels V, Van Singer M, Clack LC, Plüss-Suard C, Niquille A, Mueller Y, Boillat Blanco N. Factors Influencing the Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Primary Care: A Narrative Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010030. [PMID: 36671230 PMCID: PMC9854946 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is directly driven by inappropriate use of antibiotics. Although the majority of antibiotics (an estimated 80%) are consumed in primary care settings, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in primary care remain underdeveloped and factors influencing their implementation are poorly understood. This can result in promising stewardship activities having little-to-no real-world impact. With this narrative review, we aim to identify and summarize peer-reviewed literature reporting on (1) the nature and impact of AMS interventions in primary care and (2) the individual and contextual factors influencing their implementation. Reported activities included AMS at different contextual levels (individual, collective and policy). AMS activities being often combined, it is difficult to evaluate them as stand-alone interventions. While some important individual and contextual factors were reported (difficulty to reach physicians leading to a low uptake of interventions, tight workflow of physicians requiring implementation of flexible and brief interventions and AMS as a unique opportunity to strengthen physician-patients relationship), this review identified a paucity of information in the literature about the factors that support or hinder implementation of AMS in primary care settings. In conclusion, identifying multilevel barriers and facilitators for AMS uptake is an essential step to explore before implementing primary care AMS interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Suttels
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Mathias Van Singer
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lauren Catherine Clack
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Plüss-Suard
- Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne Niquille
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Pharmacy University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Department of Family Medicine, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Boillat Blanco
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Rodríguez-Contreras FJ, Calvo-Cebrián A, Díaz-Lázaro J, Cruz-Arnés M, León-Vázquez F, del Carmen Lobón-Agúndez M, Palau-Cuevas FJ, Henares-García P, Gavilán-Martínez F, Fernández-Plaza S, Prieto-Zancudo C. Lung Ultrasound Performed by Primary Care Physicians for Clinically Suspected Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Multicenter Prospective Study. Ann Fam Med 2022; 20:227-236. [PMID: 35606120 PMCID: PMC9199040 DOI: 10.1370/afm.2796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated whether lung ultrasound (US) performed in primary care is useful and feasible for diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) compared with chest radiography, as most previous research has been conducted in hospital settings. METHODS We undertook a prospective observational cohort study of lung US performed in 12 primary care centers. Patients aged 5 years and older with symptoms suggesting CAP were examined with lung US (by 21 family physicians and 7 primary care pediatricians) and chest radiograph on the same day. We compared lung US findings with the radiologist's chest radiograph report as the reference standard, given that the latter is the most common imaging test performed for suspected CAP in primary care. The physicians had varied previous US experience, but all received a 5-hour lung US training program. RESULTS The study included 82 patients. Compared with chest radiography, positive lung US findings (consolidation measuring >1 cm or a focal/asymmetrical B-lines pattern) showed a sensitivity of 87.8%, a specificity of 58.5%, a positive likelihood-ratio of 2.12, and a negative likelihood-ratio of 0.21. Findings were similar regardless of the physicians' previous US training or experience. We propose a practical algorithm whereby patients having consolidation measuring greater than 1 cm or normal findings on lung US could skip chest radiography, whereas patients with a B-lines pattern without consolidation (given its low specificity) would need chest radiography to ensure appropriate management. Lung US was generally performed in 10 minutes or less. CONCLUSION Point-of-care lung US in primary care could be useful for investigating suspected CAP (avoiding chest radiography in most cases) and is likely feasible in daily practice, as short training programs appear sufficient and little time is needed to perform the scan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Calvo-Cebrián
- CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Antonio Calvo-Cebrián Centro de Salud Galapagar Avda Víctimas del Terrorismo 3 28260 Galapagar, Madrid, Spain
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Lhopitallier L, Kronenberg A, Meuwly JY, Locatelli I, Mueller Y, Senn N, D'Acremont V, Boillat-Blanco N. Procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography point-of-care testing to determine antibiotic prescription in patients with lower respiratory tract infection in primary care: pragmatic cluster randomised trial. BMJ 2021; 374:n2132. [PMID: 34548312 PMCID: PMC9083102 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n2132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether point-of care procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography can safely reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment in patients with lower respiratory tract infections in primary care. DESIGN Three group, pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial from September 2018 to March 2020. SETTING 60 Swiss general practices. PARTICIPANTS One general practitioner per practice was included. General practitioners screen all patients with acute cough; patients with clinical pneumonia were included. INTERVENTIONS Randomisation in a 1:1:1 of general practitioners to either antibiotics guided by sequential procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography point-of-care tests (UltraPro; n=152), procalcitonin guided antibiotics (n=195), or usual care (n=122). MAIN OUTCOMES Primary outcome was proportion of patients in each group prescribed an antibiotic by day 28. Secondary outcomes included duration of restricted activities due to lower respiratory tract infection within 14 days. RESULTS 60 general practitioners included 469 patients (median age 53 years (interquartile range 38-66); 278 (59%) were female). Probability of antibiotic prescription at day 28 was lower in the procalcitonin group than in the usual care group (0.40 v 0.70, cluster corrected difference -0.26 (95% confidence interval -0.41 to -0.10)). No significant difference was seen between UltraPro and procalcitonin groups (0.41 v 0.40, -0.03 (-0.17 to 0.12)). The median number of days with restricted activities by day 14 was 4 days in the procalcitonin group and 3 days in the usual care group (difference 1 day (95% confidence interval -0.23 to 2.32); hazard ratio 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.97)), which did not prove non-inferiority. CONCLUSIONS Compared with usual care, point-of-care procalcitonin led to a 26% absolute reduction in the probability of 28 day antibiotic prescription without affecting patients' safety. Point-of-care lung ultrasonography did not further reduce antibiotic prescription, although a potential added value cannot be excluded, owing to the wide confidence intervals. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03191071.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Lhopitallier
- Infectious Diseases Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kronenberg
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Medix General Practice, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Yves Meuwly
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Locatelli
- Department of Education, Research, and Innovation, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Mueller
- Department of Family Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Senn
- Department of Family Medicine, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valérie D'Acremont
- Department of Education, Research, and Innovation, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Digital Global Health Department, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
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Wolfisberg S, Gregoriano C, Schuetz P. Procalcitonin for individualizing antibiotic treatment: an update with a focus on COVID-19. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2021; 59:54-65. [PMID: 34517744 PMCID: PMC8442987 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2021.1975637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Procalcitonin (PCT) is useful for differentiating between viral and bacterial infections and for reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics. As the rise of antimicrobial resistance reaches “alarming” levels according to the World Health Organization, the importance of using biomarkers, such as PCT to limit unnecessary antibiotic exposure has further increased. Randomized trials in patients with respiratory tract infections have shown that PCT has prognostic implications and its use, embedded in stewardship protocols, leads to reductions in the use of antibiotics in different clinical settings without compromising clinical outcomes. However, available data are heterogeneous and recent trials found no significant benefit. Still, from these trials, we have learned several key considerations for the optimal use of PCT, which depend on the clinical setting, severity of presentation, and pretest probability for bacterial infection. For patients with respiratory infections and sepsis, PCT can be used to determine whether to initiate antimicrobial therapy in low-risk settings and, together with clinical data, whether to discontinue antimicrobial therapy in certain high-risk settings. There is also increasing evidence regarding PCT-guided therapy in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This review provides an up-to-date overview of the use of PCT in different clinical settings and diseases, including a discussion about its potential to improve the care of patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Philipp Schuetz
- Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Mitsakakis K. Novel lab-on-a-disk platforms: a powerful tool for molecular fingerprinting of oral and respiratory tract infections. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 21:523-526. [PMID: 33902369 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1920400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Mitsakakis
- Hahn-Schickard, Freiburg, Germany.,Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK - Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Lhopitallier L, Brahier T, Opota O, Kronenberg A, Mueller Y, Hügli O, Jaton K, Boillat-Blanco N. No evidence of SARS-CoV-2 circulation before identification of the first Swiss SARS-CoV-2 case. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 56:106100. [PMID: 32682947 PMCID: PMC7365111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
•Retrospective RT-PCR was performed for SARS-CoV-2 on frozen nasopharyngeal swabs of patients with lower respiratory tract infections collected in Western Switzerland between November 2019 and March 2020 •No case was identified before the first officially diagnosed cases •This suggests that the targeted screening approach was adequate when faced with difficulties in upscaling testing capacity
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