Effect of a multifaceted intervention on potentially unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in general practice, out-of-hours services, and nursing homes in Spain.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention on potentially unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.

Material and methods: Before and after quality control study carried out in three different settingsgeneral practice, out-of-hours services, and nursing homesin Spain. Healthcare professionals (both doctors and nurses) self-registered common infections using a specific template for each setting before (2022) and after (2023) receiving a 5-hour intervention on prudent antibiotic use.

Results: Eighty-nine professionals participated in the first registration (48 in general practice, 23 in out-of-hours services, and 15 in nursing homes), with 71 (79.8%) completing the intervention and second registration. Potentially unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions were 68.5%, 41.7%, and 77.7% in the first registration, respectively, and 61.4%, 34.8%, and 86.8% after the intervention, showing reductions of 10.4% in general practice and 16.5% in out-of-hours services, and an 11.7% increase in nursing homes, albeit without statistically significant differences.

Conclusions: The study found that this intervention slightly improved antibiotic use, with minimal impact, but worsened in nursing homes.