Hospital antimicrobial guidance
Resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobials is recognised locally and nationally as a major threat to public health and patient safety. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and other healthcare-associated infections is partly governed by antimicrobial usage. Principles of treatment can be found in the General Notes section.
Guidance found in this section:
- Paediatric - Infections in children
- Alert antimicrobials
- Adult - Hospital empirical antimicrobial therapy infections of the:
- Gastro-intestinal system
- Cardiovascular system
- Respiratory system
- Central nervous system
- Urinary-tract
- Genital system
- Blood
- Musculoskeletal system
- Eye
- Ear, nose, and oropharynx
- Skin
- IV to oral switch
IV to Oral switch (IVOST)
Where possible antimicrobials should be given by the oral route unless the drug of choice is not available in oral dosage form or the oral route is otherwise compromised. While IV therapy may be the initial route of choice in the treatment of acute infections, it is frequently possible to switch to suitable oral therapy. Prescriptions for intravenous antimicrobials should be reviewed within 48 hours of prescribing with a view to changing to oral therapy if suitable