Is the use of antibiotic stewardship measures in the context of specialized outpatient palliative care sensible and feasible? An interview-based study

Kaiser, Ulrich and Kaiser, Florian and Schmidt, Joerg and Vehling-Kaiser, Ursula and Hitzenbichler, Florian (2024) Is the use of antibiotic stewardship measures in the context of specialized outpatient palliative care sensible and feasible? An interview-based study. BMC PALLIATIVE CARE, 23 (1): 280. ISSN 1472-684X,

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Abstract

BackgroundSpecialized outpatient palliative care (SAPV) is a component of palliative care in Germany, which assists approximately 10% of palliative patients. The majority of these patients have a malignant disease and are at increased risk of complications or severe infection. Antibiotic stewardship (ABS) measures are implemented to optimize antibiotic administration; however, there is little data available in this area, particularly for SAPV. Therefore, we examined the extent to which ABS measures can be meaningfully used or implemented in SAPV.MethodsAfter establishing a corresponding interview guide, 15 experts from specialized areas were interviewed on this subject by the Institute for Market Research in Healthcare Munich (IMIG) through audio-registered individual interviews. The interviews were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method according to Mayring.ResultsAll 15 experts participated. The primary benefits cited were greater safety in the prescription and decision-making process for antibiotics in the areas of SAPV and improved quality of life. The implementation of continuous ABS measures for SAPV was considered difficult in some cases and linked to certain prerequisites, such as supportive advice from existing systems. The possibility of further training for SAPV members in the area of ABS was considered particularly advantageous.ConclusionsThe implementation of ABS measures in SAPV is feasible in principle; however, it is difficult to implement under the current conditions. Close cooperation with an existing external ABS expert/team will be helpful. This will provide more security for a small, but relevant proportion of SAPV patients, and for the SAPV team treating them.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP; LIFE; END; ONCOLOGY; SAPV; ABS; Infection; Palliative patient; Antibiotic therapy
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III (Hämatologie und Internistische Onkologie)
Medicine > Abteilung für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektiologie
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 16 Jan 2026 07:19
Last Modified: 16 Jan 2026 07:19
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/64131

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