EP18 — Strategic Antibiotics: Mastering Management (Antimicrobial Stewardship) (SOP 028)

Welcome to the rescEU ICU Briefing, your essential guide to critical care in challenging environments. In Episode 18, senior intensivist Dr James Whitfield and senior ICU nurse Sister Eleanor Hayes take a deep dive into SOP Annex 4.6-028 (IT ICU SCT) — Antibiotic Management. This critical standard operating procedure provides the framework for optimising antibiotic use, crucial for patient outcomes and combating antimicrobial resistance in a field ICU setting. In this episode, we cover: The overarching purpose of SOP 028 and its alignment with global recommendations. Key definitions such as empirical therapy, definitive therapy, and de-escalation. The specific responsibilities of medical and nursing staff in antibiotic stewardship. Indications and timing for empirical therapy, including the 'golden hour' for septic shock. Strategies for definitive therapy and the importance of timely de-escalation. The role of auditing tools like the Antibiotic Prescription Audit Form and Daily Review Checklist. By the end of this briefing, you should be able to: Understand the core principles of antibiotic stewardship in a field ICU. Identify the critical steps for initiating and managing empirical and definitive antibiotic therapy. Recognise the importance of obtaining cultures and timely de-escalation of antibiotics. Utilise the provided SOP tools to ensure best practice in antibiotic prescribing and monitoring. This podcast is designed to supplement, not replace, the official rescEU ICU SOP 028. Always refer to the most current version of the SOP and local guidelines for definitive clinical decision-making. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While AI tools may assist in content generation, all clinical information is reviewed and validated by our expert team. Co-funded by the European Union.