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Sustained reduction in antibiotic consumption in a South African public sector hospital; Four year outcomes from the Groote Schuur Hospital antibiotic stewardship program

T H Boyles, V Naicker, N Rawoot, P J Raubenheimer, B Eick, M Mendelson

Abstract


Background. Overuse of antibiotics has driven global bacterial resistance to the extent that we have entered a post-antibiotic era, where infections that were once easily treatable are now becoming untreatable. Efforts to control consumption have focused on antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASPs), aimed at optimising use.

Objective. To report antibiotic consumption and cost over 4 years from a public hospital ASP in South Africa (SA).

Methods. A comprehensive ASP comprising online education, a dedicated antibiotic prescription chart and weekly dedicated ward rounds was introduced at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, in 2012. Electronic records were used to collect data on volume and cost of antibiotics and related laboratory tests, and to determine inpatient mortality and 30-day readmission rates. These data were compared with a control period before the intervention.

Results. Total antibiotic consumption fell from 1 046 defined daily doses/1 000 patient days in 2011 (control period) to 868 by 2013 and remained at similar levels for the next 2 years. This was driven by reductions in intravenous antibiotic use, particularly ceftriaxone. Inflation-adjusted cost savings on antibiotics were ZAR3.2 million over 4 years. Laboratory tests increased over the same period with a total increased cost of ZAR0.4 million. There was no significant change in mortality or 30-day readmission rates.

Conclusions. The effects of a comprehensive ASP on medical inpatients at a public sector hospital in SA were durable over 4 years, leading to a reduction in total antibiotic consumption without adverse effect. When increased laboratory costs were offset there was a net cost saving of ZAR2.8 million.


Authors' affiliations

T H Boyles, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

V Naicker, Pharmacy Department, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

N Rawoot, Pharmacy Department, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

P J Raubenheimer, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

B Eick, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

M Mendelson, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

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Keywords

Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotic stewardship; Medicine; South Africa

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2017;107(2):115-118. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i2.12067

Article History

Date submitted: 2017-01-30
Date published: 2017-01-30

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