Rationalise and restrict antibiotic use by utilizing a proactive justification form and comparing with earlier antibiotic usage in the same paediatric unit in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

This Quasi-experimental study was conducted in the paediatric ward at our hospital. We evaluated the efficacy of an intervention, wherein paediatricians were made to fill out a justification form before starting antibiotics. Antimicrobial usage percentage over a year after the introduction of the justification form was compared with that in the year preceding it. Pre- and post-intervention periods were June 2017 to March 2018 and June 2018 to March 2019, respectively. After introduction of justification form, usage of antibiotics decreased by 26.9% (p < 0.001), with increase in de-escalation (p < 0.001) and decrease in duration (p < 0.001). Implementation of antibiotic justification form, a simple and effective antibiotic stewardship intervention in our paediatric unit, led to substantial reduction in antibiotic usage and duration, with increase in rationalisation and de-escalation rates.