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Clinical practice audit concerning antimicrobial prophylaxis in paediatric neurosurgery: results from a German paediatric oncology unit

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Abstract

Background

Perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (PAP) has been identified as an important target for internal audits, concerning the judicious use of antibiotics. Paediatric oncology patients with brain tumours face an increased risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after neurosurgery and receive routine PAP in this setting.

Patients and methods

All patients younger than 18 years admitted to the paediatric oncology centre (POC) with a neurosurgical intervention. Systematic audit of routine clinical data is divided in two groups: retrospective (Jan 01, 2012–March 31, 2014) and prospective (April 01, 2014–March 31, 2015) referring to an internal PAP guideline, invented in Jan. 2014). Surveillance of SSI up to 30 days after the operation with standard criteria (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA).

Results

In total, 53 neurosurgical operations were analysed in 33 paediatric oncology patients. Twelve patients received more than one operation. The detailed analysis of PAP revealed prophylactic cefuroxim doses about 30 mg/kg instead of 50 mg/kg and no repeated dosing in operations lasting longer than 4 h. In addition, Cefotaxim, which is not indicated as PAP in neurosurgery, was used instead of Cefuroxim (or Ampicillin-Sulbactam) in 23 % of all cases in the retrospective and 18 % of all cases in the prospective audit. PAP for more than 3 doses (>24 h) was administered in 66 % in the retrospective group and in 60 % in the prospective group (p = n.s.). In both groups, no SSI was detected.

Discussion

This first comprehensive audit of PAP in paediatric oncology patients undergoing neurosurgery outlines significant opportunities to improve clinical practice in terms of correct dosing, the correct choice of the antibiotic, a correct timing schedule and a shorter duration of PAP. In addition, our results illustrate in detail the challenges in clinical practice when an evidence-based approach to improve a standard workflow has to be implemented.

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Notes

  1. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA

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Acknowledgment

The authors thankfully acknowledge the outstanding work of all attending physicians and healthcare workers in the Paediatric Oncology Unit at the Children’s Clinic, University Hospital, Homburg / Saar.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, University Hospital Children’s Clinic, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany

    Katja Weiss, Arne Simon & Norbert Graf

  2. Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Saarland University Campus Homburg, Homburg, Germany

    Jakob Schöpe

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School of the Saarland University, University Hospital, Kirrbergerstr. Building 90, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany

    Joachim Oertel & Stefan Linsler

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  1. Katja Weiss
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Correspondence to Stefan Linsler.

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Katja Weiss and Arne Simon contributed equally to this original article.

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Weiss, K., Simon, A., Graf, N. et al. Clinical practice audit concerning antimicrobial prophylaxis in paediatric neurosurgery: results from a German paediatric oncology unit. Childs Nerv Syst 33, 159–169 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-016-3279-8

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