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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Septicemia | Research article

C-reactive protein- and clinical symptoms-guided strategy in term neonates with early-onset sepsis reduced antibiotic use and hospital stay: a quality improvement initiative

Authors: Johan Gyllensvärd, Fredrik Ingemansson, Elisabet Hentz, Marie Studahl, Anders Elfvin

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of birth. Clinical symptoms are often unspecific and biomarkers have low predictive values for EOS. Therefore, clinical suspicion often leads to antibiotic therapy in neonates with a negative blood culture. In the study we evaluated if a quality improvement initiative could reduce unwarranted antibiotic use in a safe way in term neonates with culture-negative sepsis.

Methods

The quality improvement initiative included new treatment guidelines and were introduced on 11 June 2018. The guidelines included C-reactive protein- and clinical symptoms-guided decision-making and shorter intravenous antibiotic therapy. All term neonates treated for EOS at Ryhov Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden were studied before (period 1: 2016–2017) and after the introduction of the new guidelines (period 2: 11 June 2018 to 30 Sept 2019).

Laboratory and clinical data were analysed.

Results

There were 7618 term neonates in period 1 and 5005 term neonates in period 2. We identified 140 (1.8%) EOS in period 1 and 97 (1.9%) EOS in period 2. During period 1 and 2, there were 61 (61/140, 44%) and 59 (59/97, 61%) EOS neonates, respectively, who met the criteria for shorter antibiotic treatment. The number of positive blood cultures were seven (0.92/1000 live births) and five (1.0/1000 live births) in period 1 and 2. The median C-reactive protein were 52 mg/L (37–62) in period 1 and 42 mg/L (31–56) in period 2 in the group who met the criteria of the guidelines. The duration of antibiotic therapy (Median: seven vs. five days, p < 0.001) and hospital stay (Median: seven vs. five days, p < 0.001) as well as healthcare costs (decreased by €122,000/year) was reduced in the group who met the criteria after the introduction of the guidelines.

Conclusion

C-reactive protein- and clinical symptoms-guided decision-making for EOS significantly decreased the duration of antibiotic therapy and hospital stay, and hence reduced healthcare costs, with no reinfection in a cohort of term infants.

Trial registration

Trial registration number: ISRCTN29535824. Date of registration: 28 May 2020. Retrospectively registered.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: C-reactive protein- and clinical symptoms-guided strategy in term neonates with early-onset sepsis reduced antibiotic use and hospital stay: a quality improvement initiative
Authors: Johan Gyllensvärd
Fredrik Ingemansson
Elisabet Hentz
Marie Studahl
Anders Elfvin
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Septicemia
Septicemia
Neonatal Sepsis
Antibiotic
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02426-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

C-reactive protein- and clinical symptoms-guided strategy in term neonates with early-onset sepsis reduced antibiotic use and hospital stay: a quality improvement initiative

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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