Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a global public health threat, endangering the progress of healthcare worldwide. A key strategic approach for mitigating risks and consequences of AMR is the enhancement of pathogen submission rates prior to antimicrobial therapy in medical institutions.
A study performed at the Department of Hospital Infection Management, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine explored the effectiveness of the FOCUS-PDCA (Find, Organize, Clarify, Understand, Select, Plan, Do, Check, Act) model in attaining this goal. Conducted over a span of four years from 2021 to 2024, the study involved a sophisticated collaboration across various hospital departments, guided by well-defined indicators and identified challenges.
The interventional measures involved improving information monitoring technology, optimizing processes for specimen collection and delivery, strengthening regulatory initiatives, and setting up an enriched training system. The research team collected data from 56 clinical departments for a comparative study before and after the intervention.
The results showed remarkable progress. The pathogen submission rate ahead of antimicrobial therapy drastically increased from 64.99% in 2021 to 76.40% in 2024. Simultaneously, the quality of collected specimens improved visibly, resulting in an increase of sterile specimens from 38.07% to 43.24%.
Another noteworthy evidence of the model’s success was the decline in the incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms detection rate overall, especially MRSA, CRPA, and CRKP. The implementation of the FOCUS-PDCA model, therefore, effectively enhanced pathogen submission rates and specimen quality, which efficiently reduced the rate of MDRO and promoted sensible antimicrobial application.
In conclusion, the FOCUS-PDCA model stands as a valuable resource to clinical institutions seeking to enhance antimicrobial stewardship. Its meticulous integration with various technological, regulatory, and educational tools can contribute to constructive change in antimicrobial management handling across medical institutions.