Antibiotic stewardship, nutrition & vitamin D level in HAP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Observational study to explore antibiotic stewardship, nutrition and vitamin D levels of patients suffering from Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP).
IRAS ID
178178
Contact name
Anthony Cox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 12 days
Research summary
This study involves exploring antibiotic prescriptions, nutrition levels and vitamin D levels of patients suffering from Hospital acquired Pneumonia (HAP). HAP is the most common health-care associated infection leading to death in the UK, with an estimated mortality that ranges from thirty to seventy percent. HAP is a respiratory infection developing forty-eight hours or more after hospital admission and is not present at admission. Hospital-acquired respiratory infections affect one point five percent of inpatients in England at any time. Hospital stay is increased by about eight days in HAP patients.
The aim of this study is to explore: the proportion of antibiotic prescriptions that comply with national stewardship guidelines (appendix 1) set by public health England and trust antibiotic guidelines (appendix 2); the relationship between low nutrition level and the severity of HAP; and the relationship between low vitamin D level and the severity of HAP. All inpatients’ nutrition level is checked on admission and throughout hospital stay as part of routine care. Nutrition level is measured using the patient’s Body Mass index and scored according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (appendix 3). Vitamin D level is checked using the patient’s blood sample. Currently vitamin D levels are not monitored routinely in HAP Patients. Vitamin D is known to have a role in infection defence. During this study the team looking after the HAP patient will be requested to check the patient’s vitamin D level, once consent is obtained. Patients’ vitamin D levels will be tested using the same blood sample that the doctor takes to test their general health. An additional blood sample will not be required.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0560
Date of REC Opinion
8 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion