We would welcome your comments on the draft paper entitled “Back-up antibiotic prescribing: good practice guide” and the associated Equality and Health Impact Assessment Form (EqHIA).
The aim of this prescribing protocol is to encourage more consistent implementation of a back-up prescribing strategy by all healthcare professionals and where possible, reduce unnecessary exposure to antimicrobials reducing the risk of adverse effects and acquisition of healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistant organisms. One strategy to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use in primary care is the use of back-up prescribing for specific self-limiting infections. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) supports back-up antibiotic prescribing for: acute otitis media; acute sore throat; acute rhinosinusitis and acute cough/acute bronchitis. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also advocate it’s use for the management of a certain cohort of patients with a simple UTI. Patients are encouraged to self-manage their infection, with antibiotics only used if symptoms persist or worsen at any time. This document details guidance on the appropriate use of back-up antibiotic prescribing for specific self-limiting infections, the strategies that can be used and good practice points when implementing the strategy in primary care.
This back-up antibiotic prescribing protocol has been prepared by a multi-professional collaborative group following discussions within the Primary Care Workstream Group of the Antimicrobial Resistance Delivery Board. This document is relevant to everyone involved in the prescribing, dispensing, issuing and administration of antibiotics for self-limiting conditions and aims to promote utilisation and consistent implementation of back-up antimicrobial prescribing strategies in primary care in Wales.
The document and associated EqHIA form and feedback form can be accessed below.
Closing date: Friday 3rd May 2024.
⇩ Back-up antibiotic prescribing: good practice guide - Consultation draft 564KB (PDF) |
⇩ Back-up antibiotic prescribing: good practice guide - Equality and Health Impact Assessment form 276KB (PDF) |
⇩ Back-up antibiotic prescribing: good practice guide - Consultation feedback form 35KB (Word document) |