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What data need to be collected?

In this article Mr William Malcolm discusses what date needs to be collected for a PPS.

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Two types of data are required:

Ward or denominator data

This will be information about the ward in which the PPS is being undertaken and will include a categorisation of ward types such as adult medical ward, adult surgical ward, intensive care unit, paediatric medical ward etc.

On the day of data collection the total number of beds in the ward and the number of patients present on the ward at 8am will be recorded.

Patient or numerator data

In simple terms this means recording all in-patients receiving an antibiotic prescription at 8am on the day of the survey.

Any day case patients or patients admitted after 8am are excluded.

The survey methodology will specify which antimicrobials are included. Some will only include antibacterials and anti-fungals, others will include antivirals and antimalarials.

Antimicrobials for topical use are usually excluded.

For each patient prescribed any of the specified antimicrobials the following types of data will be recorded:

Table showing example of data collected - patient information collected is age, gender, and weight (children). Antimicrobial information collected includes 'generic substance name', 'number of doses a day', 'route of administration', 'is the reason for treatment or prophylaxis recorded in the notes?'

Reflect on what information about the quality of antibiotic use would help you to improve Antimicrobial Stewardship in your hospital. Could this information be obtained by conducting a PPS?