Antimicrobial stewardship capacity and antibiotic utilisation practices in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana: A point prevalence survey study

Agyare, Elizabeth, Acolatse, Joseph Elikem Efui, Dakorah, Mavis Puopelle, Akafity, George, Chalker, Victoria J., Spiller, Owen B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9117-6911, Schneider, Kristan Alexander, Yevutsey, Saviour, Aidoo, Nana Benyin, Blankson, Sophia, Mensah-Acheampong, Frederick, Incoom, Robert, Kurdi, Amanj, Godman, Brian and Ngyedu, Eric Kofi 2024. Antimicrobial stewardship capacity and antibiotic utilisation practices in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana: A point prevalence survey study. PLoS ONE 19 (1) , e0297626. 10.1371/journal.pone.0297626

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Abstract

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat that necessitates coordinated strategies to improve antibiotic prescribing and reduce AMR. A key activity is ascertaining current prescribing patterns in hospitals to identify targets for quality improvement programmes. Methods: The World Health Organisation point prevalence survey methodology was used to assess antibiotic prescribing in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. All core variables identified by the methodology were recorded. Results: A total of 78.8% (82/104) patients were prescribed at least one antibiotic, with the majority from adult surgical wards (52.14%). Significantly longer hospital stays were associated with patients who underwent surgery (p = 0.0423). “Access” antibiotics dominated total prescriptions (63.8%, 132/207) with ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and ciprofloxacin being the most prescribed “Watch” antibiotics. The most common indications were for medical prophylaxis (59.8%, 49/82) and surgical prophylaxis (46.3%, 38/82). Over one-third of surgical prophylaxis (34.2%, 13/38) indications extended beyond one day. There was moderate documentation of reasons for antibiotic treatment in patient notes (65.9%, 54/82), and targeted therapy after samples were taken for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (41.7%, 10/24). Guideline compliance was low (25%) where available. Conclusions: There was high use of antibiotics within the hospital which needs addressing. Identified quality targets include developing surgical prophylaxis guidelines, reviewing “Watch” antibiotic prescribing, and assessing antibiotic durations for patients on two or more antibiotics. Organizational-level deficiencies were also identified that need addressing to help instigate ASPs. These can be addressed by developing local prescribing protocols and antibiotic stewardship policies in this hospital and wider in Ghana and across Africa.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
ISSN:	1932-6203
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 January 2024
Date of Acceptance:	9 January 2024
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2024 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/165838

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