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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mohamed Elemraid, Professor Stephen Rushton, Dr Matthew Thomas, Dr David Spencer, Dr Katherine Eastham, Professor Andrew GenneryORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Rationale and aimTo compare clinical features and management of paediatric community-acquired pneumonia (PCAP) following the publication of UK pneumonia guidelines in 2002 with data from a similar survey at the same hospitals in 2001-2002 (pre-guidelines). MethodsA prospective survey of 11 hospitals in Northern England was undertaken during 2008-2009. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded on children aged 16 years who presented with clinical and radiological features of pneumonia. Results542 children were included. There was a reduction in all investigations performed (P<0.001) except C-reactive protein (P=0.448) between surveys. These included full blood count (76% to 61%); blood culture (70% to 53%) and testing of respiratory secretions for viruses (24% to 12%) and bacteria (18% to 8%). Compared to pre-guidelines, there was a reduction in the use of intravenous antibiotics as a proportion of the total prescribed from 47% to 36% (P<0.001) and a change in the route of antibiotic administration with increasing preference for oral alone (16% pre-compared to 50% post-guidelines, P<0.001). ConclusionApart from the acute phase reactants that should not be measured routinely, these changes are in line with the guideline recommendations. Improvements in antibiotic use are possible and have implications for future antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Further work using cost-effectiveness analysis may also demonstrate a financial benefit to health services from adoption of guidelines.
Author(s): Elemraid MA, Rushton SP, Thomas MF, Spencer DA, Eastham KM, Gennery AR, Clark JE, North East England Paediatric Respiratory Infection Study Group
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
Year: 2014
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 94-99
Print publication date: 01/02/2014
Online publication date: 07/10/2013
Acceptance date: 30/08/2013
Date deposited: 15/04/2014
ISSN (print): 1356-1294
ISSN (electronic): 1365-2753
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jep.12091
DOI: 10.1111/jep.12091
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