Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Use of ANTIBIOTIC EYE DROPS for MECs Patients. At a recent OCCG locality meeting the apparent ‘high use of antibiotics’ for MECs patients was raised. An audit about this from the MECs service was requested and the following results were found. OCTOBER 2016 DATA 60 patients (10.73%) were recommended antibiotics in October 2017 post a MECS appointment or follow up. AT DISCHARGE: 32 patients prescribed antibiotics (5 with lubricants) AT FOLLOW UP: 27 patients prescribed antibiotics (7 with lubricants) POST GP REFERRAL: 1 patient prescribed antibiotics March 2017 DATA 88 patients (10.79%) were recommended anti-biotics in March 2017 post a MECS appointment or follow up. AT DISCHARGE: 62 Patients prescribed anti-biotics AT FOLLOW UP: 24 Patients prescribed anti-biotics (7 with lubricants) POST ROUTINE REFERRAL TO GP (not for onward referral): 1 Patient prescribed anti-biotics POST URGENT REFERRAL TO OPHTHALMOLOGY: 1 Patient prescribed anti-biotics Antibiotic prescribing in the MECs service is within nationally accepted limits. The above analysis of these 148 patients in these months indicates that anti-biotics should not have been indicated in for18 patients (12%) with the following conditions: Aqueous deficiency Viral Conjunctivitis Hordeolum Chalazion Allergy This audit will be highlighted back to the optometrists and the prescribing information went out in their May MECs bulletin to reinforce this. OCCG will be monitoring further use to ensure that the use goes down accordingly. A link to the college guidelines for optometrists in the principles of the use and supply of drugs or medicines can be found here. Optometrists can differentially diagnose between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis thus enabling them to correctly indicate when antibiotic use is appropriate. It is also within their remit to indicate antibiotic prophylactically for any loss of corneal integrity to avoid infection, keratitis, or corneal ulcers. This should avoid an eye casualty attendance in these cases. If you have any comments regarding this or any other part of the service please contact planned care at [email protected] Dr Shelley Hayles OCCG Planned Care Clinical Lead.