Antimicrobial Resistance

809 Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (13 October 2021). What research has the SA Expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance completed or is currently undertaking to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions– as 23.5 per cent of prescriptions prescribed in 2017 were found to be inappropriate according to the hospitals which participated in the NAPS survey?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has been advised:

The remit of the SA expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (SAAGAR) is to develop educational and stewardship resources for prescribers and consumers to optimise antimicrobial prescribing in South Australia.

Current research and other activities of SAAGAR to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antimicrobials includes:

Participation in the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS). All metropolitan local health networks (LHNs) participate in NAPS, which is a point prevalence study conducted annually to assess the appropriateness of prescribing within hospitals. NAPS allows identification of areas of clinical practice where prescribing can be improved or optimised.

The National Antimicrobial Utilisation Surveillance Program (NAUSP), managed by the Antimicrobial Programs team with the Communicable Disease Control Branch in SA Health. NAUSP monitors hospital antimicrobial consumption around Australia. Currently, 19 South Australian public and private hospitals contribute dispensing data to NAUSP; this data enables identification of possible over-prescribing or unexpected changes in prescribing clinical areas, to allow further investigation and intervention by SAAGAR if required.

SAAGAR have collaborated with immunologists in South Australia to develop guidance and web-based resources for prescribers and consumers regarding antibiotic allergies. Inaccurate documentation of antibiotic allergies is a focus area for antimicrobial stewardship because patients labelled with an allergy are more likely to be prescribed broad spectrum alternatives.

Members of SAAGAR individually contribute to research into antimicrobial use and resistance in their local LHNs or other areas of practice.