This project evaluates the impact of on-screen prompts on the duration of antibiotic prescriptions within GP practices in an Integrated Care System.
The intervention implemented using ScriptSwitch software, targeted amoxicillin and doxycycline with the aim of optimising antibiotic use by encouraging shorter prescription durations where appropriate. This aligns with NHS England's initiative to reduce the length of antimicrobial prescriptions.
The intervention was rolled out at different times: in West Essex on 20th June 2023 and in Hertfordshire on 24th August 2023.The results showed a significant reduction in prescription durations, with an immediate drop of 7.4% for amoxicillin and 8.8% for doxycycline, followed by further monthly reductions of 2% and 1.1%, respectively.
These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of on-screen prompts in supporting antimicrobial stewardship and reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
