Preserving Antibiotics through Safe Stewardship: PASS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Preserving Antibiotic Use through Safe Prescribing
IRAS ID
235444
Contact name
Andrew Hayward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2017/11/47 , UCL Research Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
Since the discovery of Penicillin, antibiotics have transformed our ability to treat bacterial infections, allowing us to live healthier, longer lives. However, we have been overusing antibiotics for decades to treat mild infections that would get better on their own. This has led to the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat with our current antibiotics (“antibiotic-resistance”).
Although new antibiotics are being developed, we need to conserve the ones that we already have. We can do this through better use of antibiotics. In particular, we must use fewer antibiotics and limit their use to situations where they will make a difference. This will require us all to make changes in our behaviour, whether it be patients expecting and requesting antibiotics or doctors prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed. However, changing behaviour is difficult. A necessary first-step is to identify what drives antibiotic prescribing.
This work, which is just one part of a bigger research study will commence in January 2018 and last for 15 months. Firstly, a researcher from UCL will interview healthcare-workers in nursing homes, GP practices and hospital wards in order to identify what drives antibiotic prescribing. We will also interview nursing-home residents and their families to understand their perspectives. Secondly, a researcher from the University of Leicester will carry out detailed observations in the same areas. They will: i) observe clinical practice, ii) shadow staff involved in prescribing, iii) read local documents and guidelines. This will supplement the information collected from interviews and will help us to understand better, how social factors and the culture of the organisation affects antibiotic prescribing.
This information will be used to guide us in developing interventions that will target the problems that we identify.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0507
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion