Researchers created a 51-item survey containing both closed and open-ended questions on end-of-life antimicrobial use. They administered the survey from January through April 2017 to 637 physicians. The physicians provided care at Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Of all physicians surveyed, 283 responded. Here are four findings:
1. Nearly half of physicians (49.8 percent) believed antimicrobial use at the end of life contributed to resistance.
2. Most (86.2 percent) physicians believed respecting a patient’s wish to continue antimicrobials was important.
3. More physicians of pediatric patients would often or always continue antimicrobial treatment for active infections and for hospice patients as compared to physicians for adults in end-of-life situations.
4. Additional reasons why physicians may continue antimicrobials at end of life includes:
● Meeting family expectations
● Wanting to avoid the perception of “giving up”
● Uncertainty about prognosis
● Reducing patient pain or discomfort
More articles on healthcare quality:
FluMist returns: CDC greenlights nasal spray vaccine for next flu season
11 metro areas with the most flu activity
AMA, FDA team up to tackle foodborne illnesses
