Antibiotic app will help RUH fight antibiotic resistance

A new app is being introduced at the RUH to support clinicians in the appropriate prescribing of antibiotics. The Microguide app will launch on Tuesday 18 November to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day.

Ensuring patients receive prompt treatment with the right antibiotic is a priority for the RUH. Appropriate prescribing of antibiotics ensures effective treatment of potentially life-threatening infections and can help to minimise the risk of Clostridium difficile and other hospital acquired infections. Appropriate prescribing also serves to counteract increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Antibiotic Pharmacist Wendy Fletcher, who has been leading the initiative, explains:

"Microguide provides instant access to up-to-date guidelines in an easy to read, rapid-search format. The app instantly refreshes when drug protocols are updated, so prescribers can be confident they are always using the most up-to-date version of the guidance. Built-in dosage calculators and allergy advice also ensures that accurate information is instantly available at the point of care, so patients will benefit from a more streamlined process. Clinicians at the RUH have welcomed the app, seeing it as a good example of how bringing technology to the wards can help improve patient experience.

Doctor John Jitan said: "As a busy junior doctor, the ability to access accurate clinical guidelines on the move should improve patient safety and time efficiency. When on call, or on a ward round, I find myself increasingly using my smart phone to access the British National Formulary or clinical risk calculators, so this new app is a welcome resource. This is a great example of embracing modern technology to make it easier for doctors to use antibiotics more wisely."

Wendy Fletcher adds: "This is just one measure the RUH and community healthcare providers are using to ensure antibiotics are used appropriately. The new app will be a useful tool in the hospital's fight against antibiotic resistance."

ENDS

Notes for editors:

• Tuesday 18 November is European Antibiotic Awareness Day – an annual event that aims to raise awareness on how to use antibiotics in a responsible way in order to help keep them effective for the future.
• Public Health England's national Antibiotic Guardian campaign aims to tackle the problem of increasing antibiotic resistance in the UK by asking members of the public and healthcare professionals to commit to one simple pledge to make better use of antibiotics. People can make a pledge by visiting www.antibioticguardian.com

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