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Nursing Times Research
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Improved outcomes following a change in the cephalosporin policy in an acute hospital

Margaret McCowan, DipN, MPH, RGN

South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

Joan Curzio, PhD, RGN

Nursing Research Initiative for Scotland, Glasgow

Robin Knill Jones, FRCP, FFPHM

Department of Public Health, Glasgow University

Penelope j. Redding, MBBS, MRCPath

South Glasgow University Hospitals VHS Trust, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

This paper evaluates the effect of a policy change on the use of cephalosporins in an acute hospital. The main outcome measures (timeliness and appropriateness of administration of antibiotics, infection rates, length of hospital stay and readmission rate) showed significant improvements. The change of policy from three doses a day to a once-a-day dose improved the prescribing, preparation and administration of all cephalosporins in the short term and resulted in a shorter length of hospital stay, lower readmission rates and a reduction in bacteriologically confirmed infections. This pilot study could be used as the basis for further research.

Key Words: Policy change • Reduced length of stay • Reduced infection rate • Timeliness of antibiotic administration

Nursing Times Research, Vol. 5, No. 4, 286-290 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/136140960000500411
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