Analyzing candidemia guideline adherence identifies opportunities for antifungal stewardship

Candidemia epidemiology varies significantly by region; thus, local data are essential for evidence-based decisionmaking in prophylaxis and treatment. Current management strategies are derived from large randomized controlled trials mostly executed in large high-volume tertiary care centers. Results may not be entirely transferable to smaller hospitals. This study investigates epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment standards in six hospitals in the Cologne metropolitan area (number of inhabitants approx. one million). We assessed adherence to the current guideline of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) using the EQUAL Candida Score of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM). Data were documented by trained medical students as part of an integrated research and teaching concept at the University of Cologne.

full article: Mellinghoff 2018 EJCMID Analyzing candidemia guideline adherence