The effect an antibiotic stewardship policy has on MRSA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Evaluation of the impact an antibiotic stewardship policy, informed by identifying antibiotic usage thresholds utilising non-linear time series analysis, has on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence rates in hospitals
IRAS ID
237630
Contact name
Kathryn Burnett
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health worldwide. Antibiotic use was demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation and Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in several studies. Antibiotic stewardships were established to inform adequate antibiotic prescribing practices. The challenge for antibiotic stewardships, however, is to balance providing adequate antibiotic treatment with preventing the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The relationship between antibiotic use and MRSA and CDI was recently explored using robust statistical analysis, and thresholds for antibiotic use (point at which further antibiotic use has minimal impact on developing and spreading resistance) to control MRSA rates were determined.
The investigators will pursue an answer the following research question:
Can the development and implementation of an antibiotic stewardship policy, informed by identifying antibiotic usage thresholds utilising non-linear time series analysis, lead to significant reductions in the incidence of hospital acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and the incidence of hospital acquired Clostridium difficile infection (HA-CDI) within a secondary care setting in Antrim Area Hospital (AAH)?It is hypothesised that the introduction of an antibiotic policy, designed based on identifying thresholds for antibiotic use to control HA-MRSA and HA-CDI, can significantly decrease the incidence of HA-MRSA and HA-CDI within AAH in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, thereby, improving patient healthcare outcomes. This proposed project will serve as a pilot study for the implementation of this type of policy to all hospitals in NI. The work will strengthen the research capacity within the Medicine Optimisation and Innovation Centre (MOIC), a recently established regional research centre in NI.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
18/NI/0016
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion