Use of a structured panel process to define antimicrobial prescribing appropriateness in critical care.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial prescribing is frequently reported as appropriate or inappropriate, particularly in the ICU. However, the definitions used are non-standardized and lack validity and reliability.

OBJECTIVES

To develop standardized definitions of appropriateness for antimicrobial prescribing in the critical care setting.

METHODS

We used consensus-based modified Delphi and RAND appropriateness methodology to develop criteria to define appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing. A multiphased approach with an online questionnaire followed by a facilitated in-person meeting was utilized and included clinicians from a variety of practice areas (e.g. surgeons, infectious diseases specialists, intensivists, transplant specialists and pharmacists).

RESULTS

There were a total of 23 criteria agreed upon to define the following categories of antimicrobial prescribing: appropriate; effective but unnecessary; inappropriate; and under-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These standardized criteria for appropriateness may be generalizable to other patient populations and utilized with other tools to adjudicate prescribing practices.