title: Prescribing practices for intravenous aminoglycosides in UK cystic fibrosis clinics: a questionnaire survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intravenous aminoglycoside antibiotics are widely used to treat pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Over the last decade evidence has accumulated showing that the choice of aminoglycoside and the dosing regimen may help reduce adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook an online survey to determine current practice in UK CF Centres.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We received a response from 35/48 (73%) centres. A once daily regimen was used in 30/35 (86%) centres. Around one third had stopped using gentamicin in the last 10 years. In most cases respondents reported changing practice in response to new evidence or evidence based guidelines. Obstacles to introducing evidence based practice were identified both at the level of the CF Centre and the hospital trust.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A once daily aminoglycoside regimen is now used in the majority of UK CF Centres. Tobramycin is first line and many centres have stopped using gentamicin. Obstacles to evidence based practice remain in a minority of centres.
authors: Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK. Electronic address: alan.smyth@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors: Alan R
authors: AR
authors: Smyth
authors: Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
authors: Emma L
authors: EL
authors: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides
keywords: Aminoglycosides; Cystic fibrosis; Nephrotoxicity; Obstacles to evidence based practice; Once daily dosing