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  • 4CPS-011 Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic reconstitution among healthcare professionals in 12 southeastern European hospitals: a multicentre cross-sectional study

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Section 4: Clinical pharmacy services
4CPS-011 Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic reconstitution among healthcare professionals in 12 southeastern European hospitals: a multicentre cross-sectional study
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  1. Z Ćetković1,
  2. D Rajinac1,
  3. I Baralić2,
  4. J Marković3,
  5. D Kuruc Poje4,
  6. I Tegelj5,
  7. Š Urh5,
  8. A Pečet6,
  9. I Radivojša7,
  10. S Filkova8,
  11. V Bašić-Milošević9
  1. 1University Clinical Center of Serbia, Pharmacy Department, Belgrade, Serbia
  2. 2University Clinical Center ‘Zvezdara’, Pharmacy Department, Belgrade, Serbia
  3. 3Institute of Orthopaedics Banjica, Pharmacy Department, Belgrade, Serbia
  4. 4General Hospital Dr. Tomislav Bardek, Pharmacy Department, Koprivnica, Croatia
  5. 5University Medical Center Ljubljana, Pharmacy Department, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  6. 6University Clinical Center Tuzla, Pharmacy Department, Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina
  7. 7City General Hospital 8 September, Pharmacy Department, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  8. 8University Clinical Center ‘Majka Tereza’, Pharmacy Department, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  9. 9Special Hospital ‘Vaso Ćuković’, Pharmacy Department, Risan, Montenegro

Abstract

Background and importance Preparation and administration of intravenous medicines, especially antibiotics, have many steps or aspects that are usually interrelated, which makes these medicines most commonly involved in medication errors in hospitals.1 Therefore, it is important to focus on contextual aspects of antibiotic use in hospitals especially in terms of antibiotic reconstitution/dilution.

Aim and objectives The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic reconstitution/dilution among healthcare professionals in 12 Southeastern European hospitals.

Material and methods The study was conducted using interviewer-administered questionnaires or self-administered questionnaires mailed to healthcare professionals. Information on demographic characteristics and KAP regarding antibiotic reconstitution/dilution were collected from May to September 2021.

Results More than 90% of physicians consult pharmacists for advice concerning stability of reconstituted antibiotics, incompatibilities with other medicines or solvents, or preparation and administration of parenteral antibiotics for special patient groups. Conversely, medical nurses/technicians consult with their colleagues (up to 56.10%) rather than asking pharmacists for information concerning antibiotic reconstitution/dilution (up to 36.90%). More than 53% of 565 healthcare professionals considered the database within the hospital information system to be the most trusted source of information. Electronic resources, such as e-journals, online databases and websites, were the least trusted information source by more than 61% of healthcare professionals. The study revealed that knowledge depends on the educational level, since physicians had a higher percentage of correct answers (52.05%–88.10%) in comparison to medical nurses/technicians (33.33%–68.42%). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference in knowledge level among healthcare professionals from different hospitals.

Conclusion and relevance The study indicates the need for a database within the hospital information system regarding antibiotic reconstitution/dilution in order to decrease the inappropriate preparation and administration of parenteral antibiotics in hospitalised patients. Moreover, it is important to raise awareness about this issue as a part of the everyday practice of hospital pharmacists. There is a need to introduce specific training on preparation and administration of parenteral antibiotics among healthcare professionals in hospitals.

References and/or acknowledgements 1. Sutherland A, Canobbio M, Clarke J, et al. Incidence and prevalence of intravenous medication errors in the UK: a systematic review. Eur J Hosp Pharm. 2020;27(1):3–8. doi:10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001624

Conflict of interest No conflict of interest

https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2022-eahp.64

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