Antibiotic prescribing monitoring
Scottish Government should monitor the implementation of policies and/or guidance on antibiotic prescribing issued in connection with healthcare associated infection.
- The Scottish Government's response outlined the HAI Taskforce's role in developing antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and the Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance in Scotland (CARS) programme, which monitors prescribing practices across NHS boards.
- The Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) provides national leadership on antimicrobial stewardship, including guidelines, monitoring, and reporting. NHS board antimicrobial management teams drive implementation locally.
- The HCAI Strategy 2023-2025 includes antimicrobial resistance as a key priority, with surveillance and stewardship programmes ensuring that implementation of antibiotic prescribing guidance is monitored (Scottish HCAI Strategy 2023-2025 (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-healthcare-associated-infection-hcai-strategy-2023-2025/)).
- ARHAI Scotland provides national surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance and prescribing patterns to support policy implementation.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 2.1 of the Scottish Government's response details several mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of antibiotic prescribing policies. The HAI Taskforce established the Controlling Antimicrobial Resistance in Scotland Group to oversee activity and produce outcome measures for the Scottish Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan 2014-18. Furthermore, the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group works with NHS board teams to maintain stewardship activities, and its reports, such as the January 2015 publication, provide figures on decreases in antibiotic prescriptions, demonstrating ongoing monitoring of prescribing practices.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
SAPG monitors implementation of antibiotic prescribing policies nationally. Prescribing data published through Public Health Scotland. By January 2015 SAPG reported 5.4% decrease in primary care antibiotic prescriptions and 12.7% reduction in antibiotics that increase C. difficile risk.
View detailed findings
Continuous monitoring through national surveillance system. SAPG celebrated 15 years of operation in 2023. Antimicrobial stewardship is Standard 5 in the HIS IPC Standards 2022.
Scottish Government monitoring implementation of antibiotic prescribing policies. Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group report (January 2015) showed 5.4% decrease in primary care antibiotic prescriptions and 12.7% reduction in antibiotics that increase C. difficile risk (2013 vs 2012).
View detailed findings
Antimicrobial Prescribing Group established as national monitoring body for antibiotic prescribing. Annual reporting on prescribing trends and C. difficile risk reduction published.