Rifaximin prescribing for hepatic encephalopathy in a UK tertiary liver centre - real world audit data and how it is improving patient pathways

Description

Rifaximin is a non-absorbable antibiotic used in the prophylaxis of overt hepatic encephalopathy. Currently treatment must be initiated in secondary care and after 6 months re-assessed in light of transfer of care by way of shared care agreement with primary care providers.

Completion of a retrospective audit highlighted this pathway does not happen for a large proportion of our patients and is potentially hindering their quality of life by causing unnecessary gaps in treatment. Feedback to consultants and other relevant team members has directly resulted in the implementation of a new referral pathway for newly initiated patients and will re-audit against current standards in 12 months.

Other work has included supervision of an MPharm student carrying out a pilot study looking at retrospective data of patients on rifaximin with or without other broad-spectrum antibiotics looking at carriage of multi-drug resistance.

Period	21 May 2019
Event title	KHP Clinical Practice and Medicines Use Research Evening Symposium: King's Health Partners
Event type	Exhibition