Repeated audits of antibiotic prescribing and administration reveal large gaps between the 2 events, up to 20 hours in one case! It is not acceptable to prescribe an antibiotic and then just walk away from the bed-space.
You should:
- Tell the nurse looking after the patient that you have prescribed it.
- Time subsequent doses at 6/8/12 (or whatever) hour intervals from the first dose (i.e. 8 hourly drugs need not always be given at 06:00, 14:00, 22:00)
- Tell the nurse it is important that it be administered as soon as possible (sometimes this may mean immediately).
- If it does need to be given straight away, ascertain whether or not this feasible (the antibiotic may or may not be standard stock)
- Check back in half an hour to see if the antibiotic has been given.
- If not, find out why and what is being done about it.
- Some of these problems will be solved by ePrescribing as the paperless ACCU is rolled out across the unit, but you should still check!
Antibiotic Guidelines
The Barts Health Antibiotic guidelines have now been published on the ‘microguide’ app
| For apple OS:
1) Go to app store |
For android OS:
1) Go to Play Store |
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xancu.utreat&hl=en_GB
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microguide/id447171786?mt=8
For those who haven’t got access to a smartphone, please use the link below