Impact of a training session for prescribers on the relative prescription of cefotaxime over ceftriaxone in elderly patients

Background The prescription of ceftriaxone should be limited to patients with biliary tract infections and those lacking intravenous access. A specific training session for prescribers about the clinical relevance and economic value of prescribing cefotaxime instead of ceftriaxone might decrease the use of the latter in geriatric medicine. Objectives To determine the clinical and economic impact of a training session for prescribers on the subsequent prescription of third-generation cephalosporin, that is, the percentage of appropriate prescriptions and the cost of third-generation cephalosporin administration before and after the training session. Methods In a preliminary observational quasi-experimental, open-label study, appropriateness of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone prescription over a 4-week period immediately before the training session were compared with those during a 4-week period immediately afterwards. Key findings For 46 patients (29 before the training session and 17 afterwards), the proportion of cefotaxime prescriptions increased (from 3% to 35%; P = 0.007), and the proportion of appropriate prescriptions increased at the start of treatment (from 45% to 76%; P = 0.064) and at the end (from 76% to 88%; P = 0.450).The daily per-patient cost of treatment was (sic)8 for cefotaxime and from (sic)1.63 to (sic)3.42 for ceftriaxone, depending on the administration route. Conclusions A training session for prescribers was associated with a decrease in ceftriaxone prescriptions encouraging further studies to improve the training session and then evaluate medico-economic impact through randomized clinical trials.