Exploring antibiotic stewardship, nutrition & vitamin D levels 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).\n

• IRAS ID

  198353

• Contact name

  Anthony Cox

• Contact email

  a.r.cox@bham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Birmingham

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 9 months, days

• Research summary

  This study involves exploring antibiotic stewardship, nutrition levels and vitamin D levels of patients suffering from Hospital-acquired Pneumonia (HAP). HAP is the most common healthcare 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. \nThe aim of this study is to explore: the extent of antimicrobial stewardship as mandated in the national stewardship guidelines (appendix 2) set by public health England and trust antibiotic guidelines (appendix 3) in HAP patients; the relationship between nutrition level and the severity of HAP; and the relationship between 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. \nNutrition level is measured using the patient’s body mass index and scored according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (appendix 4). 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 defense. 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 \ngeneral health. An additional blood sample will not be required.

• REC name

  London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/LO/0171

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Jan 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion