Title : Audit on the clinical use of procalcitonin: A comparison of practice between emergency department and acute medicine (McGill) doctors
Abstract:
Introduction: Bacterial infection leads to the activation of CALC—1 gene and production of PCT in all parenchymal tissues in response to bacterial infection. Most tissues, except the thyroid gland C-cells and some neuro-endocrine tissues, lack the ability to cleave PCT to its mature form, calcitonin, leading to accumulation of PCT during acute bacterial infection. This characteristic makes PCT a more specific marker for bacterial infection.
Objectives: To assess knowledge and use of procalcitonin (PCT) among doctors in the emergency and acute medicine department in Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH), Winchester. To compare the rationale for PCT testing between the emergency and acute medicine (McGill) departments’ doctors.
Conclusion: Sepsis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK . The need for early broad-spectrum antibiotics should be balanced against the risks of antibiotics-associated health problems and rising anti-microbial resistance. Rational use of PCT, a specific biochemical marker for bacterial and fungal infections, could help improve antibiotics stewardship.
Discussion: On comparison between the doctors of ED and AMU certain discrepancies were found and new trust guidelines considering both the departments need to be created.
