About this Resource

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What is the NHSScotland antimicrobial prescribing app?

This decision support app is the product of collaboration by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland, funded by the Office of the Chief Pharmacist in Scottish Government. It is a key deliverable within the national Roadmap for Clinical Decision Support, an integral part of NHSScotland eHealth Strategy.

The app provides:

  • Gentamicin calculators (Greater Glasgow and Hartford versions) and Vancomycin calculator (for pulsed and continuous infusion).
  • Local NHS board guidelines for hospital and community antibiotic prescribing.
  • A decision aid to support management of urinary tract infections in older people.
  • An audit tool to support Boards in gathering data for prescribing quality indicators.
  • A content authoring tool to enable Boards to make their hospital guidance on antimicrobial prescribing available through the app.

Users have the option to download:

National resources – This includes:

  • Greater Glasgow and Hartford Gentamicin calculators
  • Vancomycin calculator
  • Decision aid for urinary tract infections
  • Quality indicator audit tool (password required)

NHS Board-specific resources – When you select the Board you work for, you will download:

  • The Gentamicin and Vancomycin calculators adopted by your Board
  • Hospital and Primary care guidance for your Board or links to this guidance
  • Any additional antibiotic and stewardship-related policies
  • Decision aid for urinary tract infections
  • Quality indicator audit tool

 

Why is this app important?

This mobile app is one of a portfolio of tools and approaches which the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) has developed to support safe and effective antimicrobial prescribing. Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to public health. Effective management of this risk depends on optimising prescribing in routine practice in both primary and secondary care. SAPG supports NHSScotland practitioners to prescribe antibiotics according to the principles of antimicrobial stewardship; this means prescribing antibiotics only when they are needed (and not for self-limiting mild infections such as colds and most coughs, sinusitis, earache and sore throats) ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment when they do require an antibiotic and reviewing the continued need for them.

 

Related resources

Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group - https://www.sapg.scot/about-us/

Educational resources on antimicrobial stewardship – https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/3588/infection-prevention-and-control-ipc-zone/sipcep-intermediate-layer/antibiotic-management

 

 

Disclaimer

The calculators, guidance and tools within this app are based on current evidence and best practice, however they are intended to be applied alongside sound clinical judgement. As such, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group are not responsible or liable for any diagnosis or management decision made on the basis of the information provided via this app.

Use of this app within patient care settings should always be in accordance with local policies and guidance with regard to mobile device usage.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group are not responsible for the content of any external websites listed, nor do they endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on in any of these websites.

Individual NHS Boards are accountable for any content they upload to this app and any edits they make to content provided nationally.

 

MHRA Registration

NHS Education for Scotland confirms that this app is designed and manufactured to comply with the relevant Essential Requirements set out in the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC).