Department of INFECTION Control, Østfold Hospital Trust, Kalnes, Norway.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PhD Program Medicine and Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
BMC Infect Dis. 2020 Jul 16;20(1):515. doi: 10.1186/s12879-020-05246-6.
Procalcitonin is an inflammatory biomarker that is sensitive for bacterial infections and a promising clinical decision aid in antimicrobial stewardship programs. However, there are few studies of physicians' experiences concerning the use of PCT. The objective of this study was to investigate whether hospital physicians' experience with procalcitonin after 18 months of use can inform the PCT implementation in antimicrobial stewardship programs.
MATERIALS/METHODS: We deployed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 14 hospital physicians who had experience with procalcitonin in clinical practice. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Physicians reported a knowledge gap, which made them uncertain about the appropriate procalcitonin use, interpretation, and trustworthiness. Simultaneously, the physicians experienced procalcitonin as a useful clinical decision aid but emphasised that their clinical evaluation of the patient was the most important factor when deciding on antibiotic treatment.
Procalcitonin was regarded a helpful clinical tool, but the physicians called for more knowledge about its appropriate uses. Active implementation of unambiguous procalcitonin algorithms and physician education may enhance the utility of the test as an antimicrobial stewardship adjunct.
降钙素原是一种炎症生物标志物，对细菌感染敏感，是抗菌药物管理计划中很有前途的临床决策辅助工具。然而，关于医生使用 PCT 的经验的研究很少。本研究的目的是探讨在使用 PCT18 个月后，医院医生的使用经验是否可以为抗菌药物管理计划中的 PCT 实施提供信息。
材料/方法：我们采用半结构化访谈的定性方法，对 14 名在临床实践中有降钙素原使用经验的医院医生进行了访谈。访谈进行了录音、逐字转录，并使用主题分析进行了分析。
医生报告存在知识差距，这使他们不确定降钙素原的适当使用、解释和可信度。同时，医生们认为降钙素原是一种有用的临床决策辅助工具，但强调在决定抗生素治疗时，他们对患者的临床评估是最重要的因素。
降钙素原被认为是一种有用的临床工具，但医生呼吁更多关于其适当用途的知识。明确降钙素原算法的积极实施和医生教育可能会提高该检测作为抗菌药物管理辅助工具的效用。
