Programs Quality Use of Antimicrobials in Intensive Care
This program is current
As part of state-wide strategies to reduce healthcare associated infections, the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) and the Intensive Care Coordination and Monitoring Unit (ICCMU) are commencing a project to support quality use of antimicrobials in the intensive care unit (QUAIC).
Program Overview
Considerable evidence exists linking non-judicious use of antimicrobials to the development of multi-resistant organisms. In intensive care units, both antimicrobial usage rates and the prevalence of infection with multi-resistant organisms are higher than in other care settings. The principles of QUAIC have been developed to help clinicians obtain the best possible results for patients while limiting the risk of contributing to the development of multi-resistant organisms.
Current activities
- An expert advisory group with representation from Intensive Care, Pharmacy, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology has been convened to progress a project plan.
- A position statement produced by the expert advisory group was open for consultation and feedback from stakeholders for 6 months. It has now been finalised and is available at the link below.
- Three pilot sites in NSW will test tools to support implementation of the recommendations in ICU. Tools will be made available in the toolkit below for use in NSW ICUs.
Resources
ICCMU Position Statement
This document provides a set of seven evidence and expert opinion based recommendations for structures and processes that should be in place in all Intensive Care Units (ICU) to support the quality use of antimicrobials.
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ICCMU Position Statement for QUAIC - PDF ~160kb | txt ~15kb
Fact Sheets
Toolkit
Guidelines November 2010
The Intensive Care Unit Empirical Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines are aimed at providing the clinicians of NSW intensive care units (ICU) with recommendations to frame the development of policies and procedures related to empirical antimicrobial therapy. They are based on the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic version 14 2010 with permission.
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Intensive Care Unit Empirical Antimicrobial Treatment Guidelines - PDF ~350kb
Antimicrobial ward round
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Information sheet for setting up a multidisciplinary antimicrobial liaison round - PDF~ 65kb
Audit tools to measure appropriate prescribing
To join the pilot project or access online data entry via Survey Monkey™contact the project officer using the form below.
Basic learning package
- Contact the CEC if you are interested in this resource
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Status Report October 2010
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Structures and Processes to Support the Quality Use of Antimicrobials in NSW Intensive Care Units - PDF ~360kb
Contact
For further information or feedback please use the form below:
