UK clinicians’ attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to guide antibiotic use in ICU patients with pneumonias: a quantitative study

INHALE WP3 Study Group (2024) UK clinicians’ attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to guide antibiotic use in ICU patients with pneumonias: a quantitative study. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 79 (1). 123 – 127. ISSN 0305-7453

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Abstract

Background: Molecular diagnostic tests may improve antibiotic prescribing by enabling earlier tailoring of antimicrobial therapy. However, clinicians’ trust and acceptance of these tests will determine their application in practice. Objectives: To examine ICU prescribers’ views on the application of molecular diagnostics in patients with suspected hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonias (HAP/VAP). Methods: Sixty-three ICU clinicians from 5 UK hospitals completed a cross-sectional questionnaire between May-July 2020 assessing attitudes towards using molecular diagnostics to inform initial agent choice and to help stop broad-spectrum antibiotics early. Results: Attitudes towards using molecular diagnostics to inform initial treatment choices and to stop broad-spectrum antibiotics early were nuanced. Most (83%) were positive about molecular diagnostics, agreeing that using results to inform broad-spectrum antibiotics prescribing is good practice. However, many (58%) believed sick patients are often too unstable to risk stopping broad-spectrum antibiotics based on a negative result. Conclusions: Positive attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to improve antibiotic stewardship were juxta-positioned against the perceived need to initiate and maintain broad-spectrum antibiotics to protect unstable patients.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://academic.oup.com/jac
Additional Information:	© 2023 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Psychological and Behavioural Science
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Date Deposited:	16 Oct 2023 09:36
Last Modified:	21 Feb 2024 11:57
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/120478

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