Antimicrobial stewardship though FeverPAIN score: Successes and challenges in secondary care

Abstract

This study intended to reduce prescriptions of antimicrobials for pharyngitis in a district general emergency department. “FeverPAIN” score has been found to reduce prescribing by 30%.Prescribing behaviours were examined in 2 separate periods before and after clinician education.The ‘no prescription’ strategy rose from 20% to 56% for low fever pain score. Immediate prescribing declined from 93% to 55% in the intermediate group, with one use of delayed prescription. Antimicrobial prescribing was down 29% overall.Clinicians reduced prescriptions for milder presentations, but delayed prescribing was underutilised. FeverPAIN scoring in secondary care is potentially efficacious when used correctly.

Keywords

• Antimicrobial
• Hospital
• Feverpain
• Stewardship
• Stratified