Publish date: 22 March 2024
A point prevalence survey (PPS) on Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI), Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship was recently completed as a collaborative piece of work between Medicines Management and the Trust Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team. 124 Trusts or independent sector providers contributed to the PPS with data on more than 56,000 patients collectively. This was the first time Mersey Care has taken part in the survey.
One of the main aims was to estimate the total burden of HCAI and antimicrobial use and to also look at factors such as markers of resistance, patient demographics and the admitting specialties or healthcare facilities.
The data collected for Mersey Care involved small numbers of patients but proved useful to see how MM and IPC could work together on projects in the future. It has also prompted further conversations about introducing an internal point prevalence audit to monitor similar factors and to look at the prescribing of long term antimicrobials in more detail.