New publication: first evaluation of the Global-PPS Outpatient Module
We’re excited to announce the publication of a new peer-reviewed article in JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, discussing the development and first evaluation of the Global-PPS Outpatient Module.
While over 80% of antibiotics are prescribed in outpatient care, most antimicrobial surveillance tools have been designed with hospital settings in mind. To address this gap, the Global-PPS team developed the first standardized, web-based tool for monitoring outpatient antibiotic use worldwide.
Piloted in Nigeria and tested across 25 healthcare facilities in 10 countries, this Outpatient Module enables health professionals and institutions to assess prescribing patterns and quality indicators in a wide range of outpatient settings, from primary healthcare centers to emergency wards.
The study highlights:
- High satisfaction among users with the protocol, data entry platform, and survey methodology (>90%)
- Common barriers, including access to patient information and the need for additional training
- The importance of institutional support and multidisciplinary team engagement
- The potential for this tool to support routine monitoring and stewardship activities globally
“The outpatient Global-PPS helps fill a critical void in AMU surveillance and enables healthcare providers to better understand and improve their antibiotic prescribing practices,” says first author Annelies Boven (University of Antwerp).
Supported by Global-PPS participants worldwide, and with additional funding from bioMérieux and Pfizer, the module is already in use across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America.
The Outpatient Module tool offers actionable insights for policy-makers, clinicians, and researchers seeking to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship in the community.