Management, use and documentation of off-label antimicrobials in the operating theatre: A survey of Australian hospital pharmacists

Broad-spectrum antimicrobials are used topically as washes, soaks, and applied directly to surgical sites, however the extent of this practice is unclear due to poor documentation. There is wide variation between hospitals regarding which antimicrobials are kept in OT, with inconsistent compliance to systems restricting use in this setting. Opportunities to improve the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials include: better utilisation of automated dispensing cabinets to track use and facilitate audits, embedding of pharmacists in OT to improve management, and policies to ensure documentation and patient consent for use outside of evidence-based guidelines.