Using treatment guidelines to improve antibiotic use: insights from an antibiotic point prevalence survey in Kenya
Michuki Maina, Jacob McKnight, Olga Tosas-Auguet, Constance Schultsz, Mike English
Abstract
Clinical practice guidelines have the potential to improve quality of care through improving decision making and antibiotic prescription. These guidelines are particularly important in areas with limited laboratory and specialist capacity.\n\nFor some of the common conditions managed in the hospitals, guidelines are not available or are outdated.\n\nTo reduce irrational antibiotic use and contain the threat of antimicrobial resistance, the process of guideline development should prioritise the most common diseases.\n\nThe process of developing context-appropriate clinical guidelines requires input from all relevant stakeholders with leadership from the Ministry of Health. This process needs to have a clear plan for dissemination, training and future updates.\n\n