An antibiotic prescribing supporting indicator has been identified as a key HAI Level 3 Indicator for 2013-14 in the CNO and CMO letter of 1st May 2013.

Nationally, it is acknowledged a reduction in the unnecessary use of antibiotics will lead to:

• reduction in the development of antimicrobial resistance at population and individual level

• reduction in CDI

• reduction in avoidable harm through fewer adverse effects

• reduction in medicalisation of self-limiting conditions and the associated GP workload

The quality indicator being introduced in 2013-14 is that antibiotic use, expressed in items/1000patients/day, in at least 50% of practices in each NHS Board will be at or below the 25th percentile of Scottish practices, or will have made an acceptable move towards that level.

What does this mean for my practice?

Each practice will be sent a summary report from the NHS Tayside Antimicrobial Management Group (click here to see an example) to clarify what they require to do to meet the targets.

What resources are available to help us reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing?

The Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) has developed a primary care audit tool which prescribers can use to review management of infection by collecting data on all consultations for infection whether or not an antibiotic is prescribed. 

SAPG has also produced Guidance for the Diagnosis and Management of UTI in Older People to help manage patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection. 

An interactive training resource (awaiting information from Graeme Bryson) will be available from September – October 2013.

NICE Clinical Guideline 69 describes best practice in the prescribing of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in adults and children older than 3 months in primary care.  It highlights where immediate prescribing of antibiotics and delayed or no prescribing of antibiotics are appropriate management strategies.

RCGP ‘Target’ Antibiotics Toolkit provides a wealth of resources for safe, effective, appropriate and responsible antibiotic prescribing, including practice checklists, leaflets and training resources.

Posters, patient information leaflets ‘Get Well Soon – without antibiotics’ and patient leaflets for delayed antibiotic prescriptions are available by contacting Tay-UHB.antibioticpharm@nhs.net in the first instance.