scholarly journals Supporting antimicrobial stewardship in Ghana: evaluation of the impact of training on knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals in two hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Sneddon ◽  
Lesley Cooper ◽  
Daniel Kwame Afriyie ◽  
Israel A Sefah ◽  
Alison Cockburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Municipal Hospital ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background A Commonwealth Partnership for Antimicrobial Stewardship was created between the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG), Ghana Police Hospital and Keta Municipal Hospital. During a scoping visit, requirements for implementing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), areas for improvement and training needs were identified. Methods A multidisciplinary team from SAPG and health psychologists from The Change Exchange developed and delivered multi-professional evidence-based teaching incorporating behavioural science, supported by partner pharmacists in each hospital. Four sessions were delivered over 2 days to 60 participants across both sites. Before and after the sessions, participants were asked to complete a knowledge quiz and a behaviours survey. Results were analysed using t-tests. Results Comparison of the participants’ pre- and post-test quiz scores (Keta Municipal Hospital 9.4 and 10.9, Ghana Police Hospital 9.2 and 11.1, respectively) demonstrated statistically significant improvement in knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate use of antibiotics. Comparison of survey responses before and after the education sessions indicated that the education had a positive impact on participants’ attitudes towards the issue of antimicrobial resistance, their role in AMS and confidence in using the Ghana Standard Treatment Guidelines. Participants were also more likely to question colleagues about compliance with guidelines. Forty-eight participants (80%) completed a training evaluation and all responded positively. Conclusions The education sessions appeared to be successful in improving knowledge and behaviours of hospital staff. Cascade of an abbreviated version of the training by partner pharmacists and AMS teams in Ghana will ensure that all staff have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to support AMS.

scholarly journals 1059. Impact of a Syndrome-Based Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention on Anti-Pseudomonal β-Lactam Use, C. difficile Rates and Cost in an Urban Community Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S374-S375
Author(s):  
Alfredo J Mena Lora ◽  
Martin Cortez ◽  
Ella Li ◽  
Lawrence Sanchez ◽  
Rochelle Bello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Urban Community ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Days Of Therapy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Prospective Audit And Feedback ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of anti-Pseudomonal β-lactam (APBL) agents has significantly increased in the past decade, carrying higher costs and contributing to antimicrobial pressure. Antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) can promote evidence-based antimicrobial selection and mitigate excess APBL use. We implemented a comprehensive ASP with syndrome-based prospective audit and feedback (PAF) at an urban community hospital. The goal of this study is to assess the impact of syndrome-based PAF on APBL use, C. difficile rates and cost. Methods ASP with all CDC core elements was implemented at a 151-bed community hospital in October 2017. Syndrome-based guidelines and PAF was established and overseen via direct communication with an ID physician. Days of therapy (DOT), cost and C. difficile rates were assessed 12 months before and after ASP. DOT for APBL and non-APBL utilization was tabulated by unit and paired t-test performed. Results Most cases reviewed by PAF (51%) were represented in our syndrome-based treatment guidelines (Figure 1). Soft tissue (33%) and intra-abdominal (24%) infections were the most common syndromes. Change to guideline was the most common PAF intervention (62%) followed by de-escalation (30%). At 12 months, total DOT/1,000 increased (392.5 vs. 404) while the proportion of parenteral antimicrobials used decreased (71% vs. 65%). Antibiotic expenditures decreased by 23%, with a reduction in APBL of 20% and non-APBL of 10% (Table 1). Statistically significant reductions APBL use in non-ICU settings (P = 0.0139) and statistically significant increases in non-APBL in ICU settings occurred (P = 0.0001) (Figure 2 and 3). C difficile rates decreased from 21% (3.27 vs. 2.56). Conclusion Syndrome-based PAF was successfully implemented. A reduction in APBL use was seen in non-ICU settings, where evidence-based de-escalation may be more feasible. APBL use remained high in the ICU but was guideline consistent. A rise in non-APBL use also occurred. Certain critical illness syndromes warrant APBLs, but PAF may promote culture-directed and syndrome-specific treatments. ASP increased guideline-based therapy and contributed to decreased broad-spectrum antimicrobial use, antimicrobial expenditures and C difficile rates. Syndrome based PAF can be successfully implemented in community settings. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Impact of a mobile decision support tool on antimicrobial stewardship indicators in St. John’s, Canada

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252407
Author(s):  
Daniel Doyle ◽  
Gerald McDonald ◽  
Claire Pratt ◽  
Zahra Rehan ◽  
Tammy Benteau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Defined Daily Dose ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Objectives Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance. The SpectrumTM app provides antibiotic decision support, based on local antimicrobial resistance rates. We determined the impact of regional implementation of the app on inpatient antimicrobial appropriateness, inpatient antimicrobial usage (AMU), population-based Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) rates and cost, using a retrospective, before and after quasi-experimental design, including a one-year study period. Methods The SpectrumTM app was released to prescribers in February, 2019. We performed two one-day inpatient point prevalence surveys using the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey tool, six months before (June 25, 2018) and six months after (June 25, 2019) app dissemination. Inpatient AMU in Defined Daily Dose/1000 patient days and CDI incidence were compared, before and after app dissemination. Results The pre-survey included 184 prescriptions, and the post-survey included 197 prescriptions. Appropriateness was 97/176 (55.1%) pre, and 126/192 (65.6%) post (+10.5%, p = 0.051). Inpatient AMU declined by 6.6 DDD/1000 patient days per month, and CDI declined by 0.3 cases per month. Cost savings associated with reduced AMU were $403.98/bed/year and associated with reduced CDI were $82,078/year. Conclusion We observed improvement in antimicrobial stewardship indicators following SpectrumTM implementation. We cannot determine the cause of these improvements.

Strategic Role of Zakat in Multidimensional Quality of Life in Sijunjung, Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
Herlin Hamimi ◽  
Abdul Ghafar Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Hasbi Zaenal
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Wealth Distribution ◽  
Absolute Poverty ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Status ◽  
Being There ◽  
The Impact

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam which has a function of faith, social and economic functions. Muslims who can pay zakat are required to give at least 2.5 per cent of their wealth. The problem of poverty prevalent in disadvantaged regions because of the difficulty of access to information and communication led to a gap that is so high in wealth and resources. The instrument of zakat provides a paradigm in the achievement of equitable wealth distribution and healthy circulation. Zakat potentially offers a better life and improves the quality of human being. There is a human quality improvement not only in economic terms but also in spiritual terms such as improving religiousity. This study aims to examine the role of zakat to alleviate humanitarian issues in disadvantaged regions such as Sijunjung, one of zakat beneficiaries and impoverished areas in Indonesia. The researcher attempted a Cibest method to capture the impact of zakat beneficiaries before and after becoming a member of Zakat Community Development (ZCD) Program in material and spiritual value. The overall analysis shows that zakat has a positive impact on disadvantaged regions development and enhance the quality of life of the community. There is an improvement in the average of mustahik household incomes after becoming a member of ZCD Program. Cibest model demonstrates that material, spiritual, and absolute poverty index decreased by 10, 5, and 6 per cent. Meanwhile, the welfare index is increased by 21 per cent. These findings have significant implications for developing the quality of life in disadvantaged regions in Sijunjung. Therefore, zakat is one of the instruments to change the status of disadvantaged areas to be equivalent to other areas.

scholarly journals Improving the experience of facility-based delivery for vulnerable women through obstetric care navigation: a qualitative evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Austad ◽  
Michel Juarez ◽  
Hannah Shryer ◽  
Patricia L. Hibberd ◽  
Mari-Lynn Drainoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Global disparities in maternal mortality could be reduced by universal facility delivery. Yet, deficiencies in the quality of care prevent some mothers from seeking facility-based obstetric care. Obstetric care navigators (OCNs) are a new form of lay health workers that combine elements of continuous labor support and care navigation to promote obstetric referrals. Here we report qualitative results from the pilot OCN project implemented in Indigenous villages in the Guatemalan central highlands. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 mothers who received OCN accompaniment and 13 staff—namely physicians, nurses, and social workers—of the main public hospital in the pilot’s catchment area (Chimaltenango). Interviews queried OCN’s impact on patient and hospital staff experience and understanding of intended OCN roles. Audiorecorded interviews were transcribed, coded, and underwent content analysis. Results Maternal fear of surgical intervention, disrespectful and abusive treatment, and linguistic barriers were principal deterrents of care seeking. Physicians and nurses reported cultural barriers, opposition from family, and inadequate hospital resources as challenges to providing care to Indigenous mothers. Patient and hospital staff identified four valuable services offered by OCNs: emotional support, patient advocacy, facilitation of patient-provider communication, and care coordination. While patients and most physicians felt that OCNs had an overwhelmingly positive impact, nurses felt their effort would be better directed toward traditional nursing tasks. Conclusions Many barriers to maternity care exist for Indigenous mothers in Guatemala. OCNs can improve mothers’ experiences in public hospitals and reduce limitations faced by providers. However, broader buy-in from hospital staff—especially nurses—appears critical to program success. Future research should focus on measuring the impact of obstetric care navigation on key clinical outcomes (cesarean delivery) and mothers’ future care seeking behavior.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Behavioral Biases in Investment Decision-Making

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geetika Madaan ◽  
Sanjeet Singh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Individual Investors ◽  
Behavioral Biases ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Individual investor’s behavior is extensively influenced by various biases that highlighted in the growing discipline of behavior finance. Therefore, this study is also one of another effort to assess the impact of behavioral biases in investment decision-making in National Stock Exchange. A questionnaire is designed and through survey responses collected from 243 investors. The present research has applied inferential statistics and descriptive statistics. In the existing study, four behavioral biases have been reviewed namely, overconfidence, anchoring, disposition effect and herding behavior. The results show that overconfidence and herding bias have significant positive impact on investment decision. Overall results conclude that individual investors have limited knowledge and more prone towards making psychological errors. The findings of the study also indicate the existence of these four behavioral biases on individual investment decisions. This study will be helpful to financial intermediaries to advice their clients. Further, study can be elaborated to study other behavioral biases on investment decisions.

Financial and non-financial benefits of carbon controls

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Binh Bui ◽  
Thu Phuong Truong ◽  
Ellie J. Chapple
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Objective Performance ◽  
Objective Performance Measures ◽  
Trading Scheme ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to understand the organisational benefits of carbon-focussed management control systems (carbon MCS) under a regulatory context. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct a survey of 85 New Zealand (NZ) organisations covering different industries, sizes and compliance obligations. Findings The results suggest a significant direct positive impact of carbon MCS on organisations’ non-financial benefits and an indirect impact on financial benefits via non-financial benefits. The impact on non-financial benefits is strongest when a whole carbon MCS package is used rather than individual carbon controls. However, the highest impact on financial benefits are attained when only diagnostic controls are used rather than other controls or the whole MCS package. Firms in primary, manufacturing and energy sectors and those with export activities are less likely to achieve organisational benefits, while those with a compliance obligation under the emissions trading scheme are more likely to perceive such benefits. Research limitations/implications The study has a limited sample size (85 firms), a unique context (NZ) and coves only large firms. Further, there are no objective performance measures to validate survey responses regarding organisational benefits. Practical implications The findings provide a business case for managers and practitioners in formulating their strategic and MCS responses to climate change issues. Originality/value The authors focus on carbon MCS and adopt a wider range of carbon MCS levers than previous research. The authors discern not only non-financial benefits but also financial benefits from MCS use.

Clinical impact of a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship initiative evaluating patients with Clostridioides difficile colitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 888-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige A Bishop ◽  
Carmen Isache ◽  
Yvette S McCarter ◽  
Carmen Smotherman ◽  
Shiva Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infection ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Stewardship Program ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated infection and gastroenteritis-associated death in the USA. Adherence to guideline recommendations for treatment of severe C. difficile infection (CDI) is associated with improved clinical success and reduced mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine whether implementation of a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) CDI initiative improved adherence to CDI treatment guidelines and clinical outcomes. This was a single-center, retrospective, quasi-experimental study evaluating patients with CDI before and after implementation of an ASP initiative involving prospective audit and feedback in which guideline-driven treatment recommendations were communicated to treatment teams and documented in the electronic health record via pharmacy progress notes for all patients diagnosed with CDI. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients treated with guideline adherent definitive regimens within 72 hours of CDI diagnosis. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the impact on clinical outcomes, including length of stay (LOS), infection-related LOS, 30-day readmission rates, and all-cause, in-hospital mortality. A total of 233 patients were evaluated. The proportion of patients on guideline adherent definitive CDI treatment regimen within 72 hours of diagnosis was significantly higher in the post-interventional group (pre: 42% vs post: 58%, p=0.02). No differences were observed in clinical outcomes or proportions of patients receiving laxatives, promotility agents, or proton pump inhibitors within 72 hours of diagnosis. Our findings demonstrate that a pharmacist-led stewardship initiative improved adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines for CDI treatment.

scholarly journals A Propensity Score Matched Study of the Positive Impact of Infectious Diseases Consultation on Antimicrobial Appropriateness in Hospitalized Patients with Antimicrobial Stewardship Oversight

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline T. Bork ◽  
Kimberly C. Claeys ◽  
Emily L. Heil ◽  
Mary Banoub ◽  
Surbhi Leekha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Infectious Diseases Consultation ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Hospital-based antibiotic stewardship (AS) programs provide oversight and guidance for appropriate antimicrobial use in acute care settings. Infectious disease expertise is beneficial in the care of hospitalized patients with infections. The impact of infectious diseases consultation (IDC) on antimicrobial appropriateness in a large tertiary hospital with an established AS program was investigated. This was a cross-sectional study from October 2017 to March 2019 at a large academic hospital with an AS-directed prospective audit and feedback process and multiple IDC services. Antimicrobial appropriateness was adjudicated by an AS team member after antimicrobial start. Antimicrobial appropriateness was compared among antimicrobial orders with and without IDC using propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression. Analyses were stratified by primary services caring for the patients. There were 10,508 antimicrobial orders from 6,165 unique patient encounters. Overall appropriateness was 92%, with higher appropriateness among patients with IDC versus without IDC (94% versus 84%; P < 0.0001). After propensity score matching and adjustment for certain antibiotics, organisms, syndromes, and locations, IDC was associated with a greater antimicrobial appropriateness odds ratio (OR) of 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 3.0). Stratification by primary service showed an OR of 2.9 (95% CI, 2.1 to 3.8) for surgical specialties and an OR of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.2) for medical specialties. Even with a high overall antimicrobial appropriateness, patients with IDC had greater odds of antimicrobial appropriateness than those without IDC, and this impact was greater in surgical specialties. Infectious diseases consultation can be synergistic with antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Impact of a course in evidence-informed policy-making on the acquisition of methodological knowledge: Findings from before-and-after studies conducted on three consecutive cohorts of master students

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-311
Author(s):  
Luc Lapointe
Keyword(s):  
Policy Making ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

The practice of evidence-informed policy-making (EIPM) consists of systematically searching, analyzing, synthesizing and disseminating the best available research evidence to inform decision-makers about policy problems, policy tools, implementation options, and/or policy evaluation results. Identifying the best available scientific evidence is not a simple task. The vast majority of research evidence contains risks of bias that hinder the reliability of their conclusions. In order to select the soundest available research evidence, policy analysts need to know how to critically appraise research evidence and identify different risks of bias. Formal theories on expertise acquisition in public bureaucracies suggest that these skills and knowledge should be acquired within academia rather than within governmental agencies. We thus created a 45-hour course in EIPM, POL-7061, that was first offered in 2012 to students enrolled in the Master’s Program in Public Affairs at Université Laval (Québec, Canada). The course mainly teaches techniques for searching and appraising different types of empirical studies. In 2013, we conducted a before-and-after study to assess the impact of the course on the methodological knowledge of the students. We repeated the exercise on two consecutive cohorts in 2014 and 2015. Mean percent of pre-post improvement on the knowledge test was 37% for the 2013 cohort, 51% for the 2014 cohort and 31% for the cohort of 2015. Teaching techniques in EIPM to Master’s students in public affairs is thus feasible and can have a positive impact on their basic methodological knowledge.

scholarly journals Active involvement of patients in pharmacist education has a positive impact on students’ perspective: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Hache ◽  
Stéphane Honoré ◽  
Guillaume Hache
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Educational Programme ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Patient-led education contributes to the implementation of practical experience of working with patients in health care professional curricula. There are few descriptions of patients’ involvement in pharmacists’ training and most often, the patients have been used as passive props to facilitate training. More recently, greater emphasis has been given to a more active form of patient involvement but the application in the curriculum of pharmacy has not been conceptualized. Thus, the aim of our study was to implement a workshop involving patients as partners in undergraduate pharmacy educational programme, and to evaluate its impact of on students’ perspectives. Method On a prospective observational study basis, the impact was assessed in terms of relevance, learning outcomes and achievement transfer using the Kirkpatrick training assessment method. In addition, we evaluated social representations of the students before and after the workshop. Results Ninety-four students attended the sessions. All participants were satisfied and emphasized the relevance of the involvement of patients. Postworkshop scores were significantly improved in both competencies to be acquired. At the end of the workshop, students reported two to three actions to implement in order to meet patients’ expectations, illustrating an intent to transfer learning outcomes in professional context. Interestingly, about patients’ expectations on pharmacist’s role, students’ social representations had evolved significantly after the session. Conclusion These results highlight the positive impact of the innovative workshops and the additive value of patients’ involvement in the pharmacy undergraduate programme.

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