In the Government's Action Plan against Antibiotic Resistance from 2016, the Antibiotic Centre for Primary Care (ASP) was assigned the responsibility, among other things, to organize a quality improvement project in nursing homes. The aim was to contribute to the national goal of reducing antibiotic use in the population by 30 percent by the end of 2020. Based on this, ASP developed the quality improvement course "Riktigere Antibiotikabruk i Sykehjem/Kommunale helseinstitusjoner" (RASK).
From 2016 to 2022, RASK was implemented as a one-year project, county by county. Most nursing homes in Norway participated, resulting in a significant reduction in antibiotic use. From 2023, RASK has been established as an ongoing program, allowing nursing homes from all counties to participate.
What do you achieve in RASK?
- Increased awareness of antibiotic use in your own institution
- More knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of infections
- Course points for those who desire it (requires the creation of a personal user in the course portal)
- Diploma for the nursing home
- Long-term: Reduced morbidity and mortality caused by resistant bacteria
What does it entail to participate in RASK?
- Nursing homes are enrolled for a 5-year period.
- Nursing homes receive an annual antibiotic report.
- One or more professional days/meetings are used to review the antibiotic report and any other professional content (e-learning courses, interview series with reflective tasks, short videos).
- The nursing home can use its own RASK material (checklist, shortened version of guidelines, etc.).
- Employees who wish to do so can create their own user in the course portal and earn course points. The course content is updated annually.
The principle behind RASK:
We know that there is significant variation between nursing homes regarding the quantity and type of antibiotics used, and that this usage can be improved. To achieve improvement, the following are necessary:
- Measurements: The annual report shows how antibiotic use has been in the past year.
- Goals: Based on the antibiotic report, you can collectively set your own improvement goals.
- Measures: The videos and materials on these websites offer measures that can be implemented to achieve the goal. Through group discussions, you can also come up with your own measures.
If you want to learn more, you can read about RASK on the external website of the Antibiotic Centre for Primary Care.