C1a Library Impact Case Study

Library concerned: Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Library & Knowledge Service
Name of case study: Providing intelligence for best patient treatments
Date of interview: 14th September 2015
Interviewee / Job Title: Consultant Microbiologist
Trust/Employing body: Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Summary of problem or reason for enquiry / “I needed to determine in a short time frame the relative efficacy of two different agents used for decolonisation of patients with MRSA carriage in the nose (anterior nares). This information requirement arose as a result of an unexpected supply problem with the agent routinely used across the trust (Bactroban).”
Brief description of the information found / service provided / “The Library & Knowledge Service Lead reviewed evidence summaries via UpToDate and Dynamed, and also journal articles indexed in the Medline, Embase and CINAHL databases. Systematic reviews in The Cochrane Library were explored. Examples of policies from other NHS Trusts were also investigated via a Google Advanced Search.”
Summary of outcome and impact / The evidence provided intelligence on the use of a routinely used drug following an unexpected supply problem. It informed a decision for future purchase of the most appropriate treatment.
Immediate Impact
(including quotes) / “The information required was located by extending the search back to 1993, well beyond the initial parameters of the request. This answer was obtained within a one week turnaround, and it is doubtful that the relevant evidence could have been located without library support. Use of the library resource saved time, and allowed me to progress a rapid, appropriate response.
A clear answer was obtained, which was then used to inform decision making. The reference from 1993 compared the two agents in question, and showed clear superiority for the agent with the availability issue (Bactroban). This information underlined the importance of restoring Bactroban stock as soon as possible, and provided intelligence to the Infection Prevention & Control team to expect more treatment failures with the replacement agent (Naseptin).”
Probable future Impact
(including quotes)

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