Reduction of unnecessary i.v. antibiotic days using general criteria for antibiotic switch.

This study was designed to help physicians consider change from intravenous to oral antibiotic therapy for any infection from d 3 of hospital stay, by implementing guidelines for antibiotic switch. A 2-centre intervention study was conducted at Sorlandet Hospital HF Kristiansand and Arendal. All patients admitted to the Medical Clinic at these hospitals prescribed with intravenous antibiotics at hospitalization, were included. After collecting data in an observation period, antibiotic switch guidelines were launched in the respective departments of both hospitals. The length of unnecessary intravenous d, duration of hospital stay and outcome of treatment were compared before (observation group) and after (intervention group) the guidelines were implemented. Antibiotic switch was considered from d 3 and onward. The effect of switch guidelines implementation was measured as a reduction of unnecessary intravenous d. Duration of unnecessary intravenous antibiotic therapy was significantly reduced from 3.4 d in the observation group to 1.4 d in the intervention group. Unnecessary intravenous d were found to constitute 83% of total intravenous therapy duration in the observation group and 48% in the intervention group. Duration of hospital stay was significantly reduced from 7.0 to 6.3 d. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality rate, re-prescription of intravenous antibiotic therapy or re-admittance to the hospital. In conclusion, implementing antibiotic switch guidelines significantly reduces the duration of unnecessary intravenous antibiotic therapy. The switch guidelines were based on general criteria for antibiotic switch for any infection.