Domain 5: Treatment and management - appropriate use of antimicrobials
This domain is a key part of the framework and covers key characteristics of antimicrobials and what to consider when using them. The way we treat and manage those we care for impacts on limiting AMR and reducing adverse events. This includes both empirical treatment (based on knowledge, experience and empirical guidelines, before we have a confirmed diagnosis) and treatment once laboratory results are available. It involves the supply, prescription, administration, monitoring, review, adjustment of therapy, and disposal of antimicrobials according to best practice guidelines. It also highlights the importance of non-antibiotic measures in infection management and recognising when treatment can safely be stopped.
Please note: Further resources will be added to this site as they become available.
Learning resources
Please note you must log in to Turas to view any eLearning modules on the resources pages. This account is the same as your Turas Appraisal account. If you do not have an account then please register for a free Turas account. Once logged in, select the module titles for further information. Important for NHS Board staff: Please check with your line manager where you should complete any eLearning.
Please note: Some of the resources on these pages are only accessible for users with appropriate Turas Learn accounts, e.g. dental staff/students or pharmacy staff/students.
Hospital antibiotic review programme (HARP)
The HARP focuses on two key areas of antibiotic prescribing practice in hospitals; the day 3 review of IV antibiotics and documentation of duration of oral antibiotic therapy. The programme contains practical tools and ideas for quality improvement underpinned by educational resources.
- Type and duration: Learning resource, completion time 20-30 mins per learning session
- Focuses on:
- Session 1: Antimicrobial Resistance, Impact of AMR, Antimicrobial therapy – review
- Session 2: Antimicrobial therapy (review, documentation), Team working, Quality Improvement
- Care setting: Acute care setting
- Target audience: Prescribers, non-prescribers nurses and midwives, non-prescribers pharmacy
Scottish Reduction in Antimicrobial Prescribing (ScRAP)
Aimed at GP practices, toolkit to help support a reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in primary care.
- Type and duration: e-Learning resources, est. completion times 20-30 mins per module
- Focuses on:
- Module 1: Antimicrobial resistance, Antimicrobial stewardship
- Module 2: Prescribing antimicrobials, Prescribing antimicrobials - behaviour change, Communication with individuals and their families/carers
- Modules 3a-3d: Diagnosing infections, Diagnostic stewardship, When not to prescribe antimicrobials
- Care setting: Primary care setting
- Target audience: Prescribers
Gentamicin and Vancomycin
Modules providing the most up-to-date national guidance to support the safe and effective use of gentamicin and vancomycin. The online modules are based on the 2013 Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group guidance on gentamicin and vancomycin.
- Type and duration: e-Learning resources, est. completion times 20-40 mins, 5-10 mins per case study
- Focuses on:
- Prescribing antimicrobials; Contraindications
- Administering antimicrobials; Monitoring treatment
- Care setting: Acute care setting
- Target audience: Prescribers, Foundation Year Doctors
Drug Prescribing for Dentistry
A website based on the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme’s (SDCEP) Drug Prescribing for Dentistry guidance.
- Type and duration: web site, various content items
- Focuses on:
- Prescribing antimicrobials - guidelines, Contraindications, Interactions
- Antimicrobial therapy - self-management strategies, When not to prescribe antimicrobials
- Care setting: Primary and acute dental care setting
- Target audience: Prescribers (Dentistry)
Antimicrobial prescribing (Dental CPD)
A series of 4 videos based on the work of the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) which provide up to date information on antimicrobial resistance, prescribing in dentistry and aims to improve clinical governance and antimicrobial stewardship.
- Type and duration: 4 videos, c. 20-40 mins each
- Focuses on:
- Video 1: (Domain 4) Diagnostic stewardship, Microbiology samples – general, Taking microbiology samples, Requesting a diagnostic test, The role of the laboratory
- Video 2: Antimicrobial resistance, Interpreting diagnostic test results
- Video 3: How do antimicrobials work - pharmacokinetics, How do antimicrobials work - spectrum of activity
- Video 4: (Domain 1) Antimicrobial resistance, Antimicrobial stewardship, Impact of AMR
- Care setting: Primary and acute dental care setting
- Target audience: Prescribers (Dentistry)
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland resources: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
eLearning module to support community pharmacy teams to provide a service which allows patients access to treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Type and duration: e-Learning resource, estimated completion time 1hr
- Focuses on:
- Domain 3: Diagnosis of infection and clinical decision making
- Domain 5: Treatment and Management (Preserving antimicrobials, side effects, interactions, Antimicrobial Therapy, prescribing antimicrobials - legal requirements)
- Care setting: Primary Care setting (Community Pharmacy)
- Target audience: All Pharmacy team members delivering the Pharmacy First service
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland resources: Skin Infections
eLearning module to support community pharmacy teams in the management of skin infections in patients over 18 years of age in accordance with the National Patient Group Direction (PGD) for the supply of flucloxacillin capsules/oral solution.
- Type and duration: e-Learning resource, estimated completion time 1hr
- Focuses on:
- Domain 3: Diagnosis of infection and clinical decision making
- Domain 5: Treatment and Management (Preserving antimicrobials, side effects, interactions, Antimicrobial Therapy, prescribing antimicrobials - legal requirements)
- Care setting: Primary Care setting (Community Pharmacy)
- Target audience: All Pharmacy team members delivering the Pharmacy First service
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland resources: Impetigo
eLearning module to support community pharmacy teams to provide a service which allows patients access to treatment for impetigo.
- Type and duration: e-Learning resource, estimated completion time 1hr
- Focuses on:
- Domain 3: Diagnosis of infection and clinical decision making
- Domain 5: Treatment and Management (Preserving antimicrobials, side effects, interactions, Antimicrobial Therapy, prescribing antimicrobials - legal requirements)
- Care setting: Primary Care setting (Community Pharmacy)
- Target audience: All Pharmacy team members delivering the Pharmacy First service