Poor compliance with an antibiotic directive—A call for intensified monitoring

Abstract Background In April 2017, the Central Denmark Region Antibiotic Stewardship Committee issued a directive to reduce general use of piperacillin-tazobactam and prescribe narrow-spectrum antibiotics for mild moderate pneumonia. The was distributed all regional hospital clinicians. Methods Electronic medical records were used obtain de-identified details administered (together with diagnosis codes) in-hospital patients (pre-directive post-directive) in nine hospitals. Average moving range statistical process control charts analyze pre-directive post-directive variation antibiotic usage patterns. Results Upon distribution directive, period decline overall ensued. Rather than benzylpenicillin, as recommended pneumonia, initial piperacillin/tazobactam accompanied by increased cefuroxime. Conclusions A steward-directed reduction less desirable broad-spectrum alternative. Future stewardship initiatives will hopefully benefit from close monitoring timely feedback dialogue clinicians based on near real-time data is predicted improve actions.