For the first time, the First Line (Empirical) Antibiotic Guideline for Adults is available as an I-phone and smart phone app. To download search ‘Antimicrobial Companion’ then select the NHS Lanarkshire specific version via I-tunes or Google PLAY app store.

It can also be accessed via MEDED.

A new version of the antibiotic IV to Oral  Step-down guidance (IVOST) outlines appropriate circumstances where a patient can receive antibiotics in tablet form and which oral antibiotics are suitable for key common infections as well as the total recommended duration of therapy.

Switching from IV to oral tablets not only reduces the risk of healthcare acquired infection but significantly improves a patient’s hospital experience and can often result in them being discharged more quickly.

Assessment of patients suitability for IV to oral step down should be conducted daily by clinical teams to ensure no opportunity to safely step-down therapy is missed.

When stepping down to oral therapy the duration of intended course length should be documented clearly on the drug cardex in the specially designated box for this purpose.