Implementation of an adapted Sepsis Risk Calculator algorithm to reduce antibiotic usage in the management of early onset neonatal sepsis: a multicentre initiative in Wales, UK

Author(s):  
Nitin Goel ◽  
Stephanie Cannell ◽  
Gemma Davies ◽  
Murali Sridhar Natti ◽  
Vickness Kirupaalar ◽  
...  

ObjectiveAssess the impact of introducing a consensus guideline incorporating an adapted Sepsis Risk Calculator (SRC) algorithm, in the management of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), on antibiotic usage and patient safety.DesignMulticentre prospective studySettingTen perinatal hospitals in Wales, UK.PatientsAll live births ≥34 weeks’ gestation over a 12-month period (April 2019–March 2020) compared with infants in the preceding 15-month period (January 2018–March 2019) as a baseline.MethodsThe consensus guideline was introduced in clinical practice on 1 April 2019. It incorporated a modified SRC algorithm, enhanced in-hospital surveillance, ongoing quality assurance, standardised staff training and parent education. The main outcome measure was antibiotic usage/1000 live births, balancing this with analysis of harm from delayed diagnosis and treatment, disease severity and readmissions from true sepsis. Outcome measures were analysed using statistical process control charts.Main outcome measuresProportion of antibiotic use in infants ≥34 weeks’ gestation.Results4304 (14.3%) of the 30 105 live-born infants received antibiotics in the baseline period compared with 1917 (7.7%) of 24 749 infants in the intervention period (45.5% mean reduction). All 19 infants with culture-positive sepsis in the postimplementation phase were identified and treated appropriately. There were no increases in sepsis-related neonatal unit admissions, disease morbidity and late readmissions.ConclusionsThis multicentre study provides evidence that a judicious adaptation of the SRC incorporating enhanced surveillance can be safely introduced in the National Health Service and is effective in reducing antibiotic use for EONS without increasing morbidity and mortality.

Author(s):  
Nitin Goel ◽  
Sudeep Shrestha ◽  
Rhian Smith ◽  
Akshay Mehta ◽  
Malini Ketty ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo compare management recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines with the Kaiser Permanente sepsis risk calculator (SRC) for risk of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS).DesignMulticentre prospective observational projection study.SettingEight maternity hospitals in Wales, UK.PatientsAll live births ≥34 weeks gestation over a 3-month period (February–April 2018).MethodsDemographics, maternal and infant risk factors, infant’s clinical status, antibiotic usage and blood culture results from first 72 hours of birth were collected. Infants were managed using NICE recommendations and decisions compared with that projected by SRC.Main outcome measureProportion of infants recommended for antibiotics on either tool.ResultsOf 4992 eligible infants, complete data were available for 3593 (71.9%). Of these, 576 (16%) were started on antibiotics as per NICE recommendations compared with 156 (4.3%) projected by the SRC, a relative reduction of 74%. Of the 426 infants avoiding antibiotics, SRC assigned 314 (54.6%) to normal care only. There were seven positive blood cultures—three infants were recommended antibiotics by both, three were not identified in the asymptomatic stage by either; one was a contaminant. No EONS-related readmission was reported.ConclusionThe judicious adoption of SRC in UK clinical practice for screening and management of EONS could potentially reduce interventions and antibiotic usage in three out of four term or near-term infants and promote earlier discharge from hospital in >50%. We did not identify any EONS case missed by SRC when compared with NICE. These results have significant implications for healthcare resources.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1080-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica B. Beavers ◽  
Shasha Bai ◽  
Jennifer Perry ◽  
Jordan Simpson ◽  
Sara Peeples

There is growing interest in the Kaiser early-onset sepsis (EOS) risk calculator though institutions are hesitant to deviate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and implement this in their hospitals. We describe the process of implementing routine use of the risk calculator in term and late preterm newborns delivered to mothers with chorioamnionitis in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A retrospective chart review of infants delivered to mothers with chorioamnionitis from 2011 to 2014 was performed. Implementation of routine use of the calculator began in January 2015; preintervention and postintervention data were analyzed after a 9-month period of routine use. Following implementation, NICU admission rates, number of blood cultures drawn, and rates of antibiotic use dropped by 54%, 42%, and 59%, respectively ( P < .001). No negative outcomes were reported. In this article, we describe how the calculator was safely implemented in our NICU while decreasing the number of interventions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluigi Laccetta ◽  
Massimiliano Ciantelli ◽  
Cristina Tuoni ◽  
Emilio Sigali ◽  
Mario Miccoli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background According to most early-onset sepsis management guidelines, approximately 10% of the total neonatal population are exposed to antibiotics in the first postnatal days with subsequent increase of neonatal and pediatric comorbidities. Early-onset sepsis risk calculator has been developed with the purpose of avoiding antibiotic overtreatment among neonates ≥ 34 weeks’ gestational age: a review of literature demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing antibiotic overtreatment, laboratory testing, painful procedures and NICU admission; however, some missed cases of culture-positive early-onset sepsis have also been described. Methods All neonates with birth weight ≤ 1500 g, 34–36 weeks’ gestational age neonates with suspected intraamniotic infection and neonates with three clinical signs of early-onset sepsis or two signs and one risk factor for early-onset sepsis receive empirical antibiotics. Neonates ≥ 34 weeks’ gestational age with risk factors for early-onset sepsis or with one clinical indicator of early-onset sepsis undergo serial measurements of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the first 48–72 hours of life; they receive empirical antibiotics in case of abnormalities at blood exams with one or more clinical signs of early-onset sepsis. We therefore compared the number of patients for which antibiotics were needed, based on early-onset sepsis calculator, and the number of patients we treated with antibiotics during the study period. Comparisons between the groups were performed using McNemar’s test and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results During the study period (1st January 2018-31st December 2018) 32/265 (12.1%) neonates ≥ 34 weeks’ gestational age at risk for early-onset sepsis received antibiotics within the first 12 hours of life. According to early-onset sepsis calculator: 55/265 (20.7%) patients would have received antibiotics with early-onset sepsis incidence 2/1000 live births (p < 0.0001); 44/265 (16.6%) patients would have received antibiotics with early-onset sepsis incidence 0.1/1000 live births (p < 0.025). One patient with culture-negative early-onset sepsis would not have received antibiotics with an early-onset sepsis incidence of 0.1/1000 live births. Conclusion Our evidence-based protocol for treatment decision-making of neonatal early-onset sepsis entails a further decrease of antibiotic overtreatment compared to early-onset sepsis risk calculator. No negative consequences for patients were observed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000992282110647
Author(s):  
Sharmila Oak ◽  
Melanie Stempowski ◽  
Erin Frank

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to decrease the frequency of laboratory draws and the number of neonates receiving empiric antibiotics who are born to mothers with chorioamnionitis from 100% to 50% 6 months following implementation of the sepsis risk calculator (SRC) at a level 1 community nursery. Data were compared pre- and post-implementation of the SRC using the Fischer’s exact test. The rate of intravenous (IV) antibiotic use decreased from 93% to 7% ( P < .0001). The rate of blood culture collection decreased from 100% to 46% ( P < .0001). With implementation of the SRC, administration of IV antibiotics, laboratory draws, and IV placement significantly decreased without increasing rates of early-onset sepsis in our patient population. Our study demonstrated that the SRC can be effectively and safely implemented at a level 1 community–based newborn nursery, resulting in a decrease in unnecessary medical treatment without negative patient outcomes.


Neonatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jessica Alexandra Kimpton ◽  
Amit Verma ◽  
Devangi Thakkar ◽  
Sophia Teoh ◽  
Aarti Verma ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The NICE guideline CG149 has increased the number of well infants receiving antibiotics for suspected early-onset sepsis (EOS). The Kaiser Permanente sepsis risk calculator (SRC) has safely and dramatically reduced investigations and antibiotics for suspected EOS in the USA. This study evaluates the current management of suspected EOS against the NICE guideline CG149 and the SRC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study is a prospective, multicentre, observational study across 13 neonatal units in London. Infants were born between June and August 2019 at ≥34 weeks gestation and commenced on antibiotics for suspected EOS and cared for on postnatal/transitional care wards. Data were prospectively recorded: risk factors, clinical indicators, investigations, and results. Outcome measures included the following: (1) incidence of EOS and (2) proportion of infants recommended for antibiotics by NICE versus theoretical application of SRC. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 1,066/8,856 (12%) infants on postnatal/transitional care wards received antibiotics, 7 of whom had a positive blood culture (group B <i>Streptococcus</i> = 6 and <i>Escherichia coli</i> = 1), making the EOS incidence 0.8/1,000 infants. Six hundred one infants had data for SRC analysis, which recommended “antibiotics” or “blood culture” for 130/601 (21.6%) infants using an EOS incidence of 0.5/1,000 versus 527/601 (87.7%) if NICE was applied. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Currently, 12.0% of infants on postnatal/transitional care wards receive antibiotics for suspected EOS. The SRC could dramatically reduce antibiotic use, but further prospective studies are required to evaluate safety of SRC implementation.


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