Reducing unnecessary prescribing in infant reflux

Completed

Summary

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in infants but is often misdiagnosed and treated unnecessarily with acid suppression therapy (AST) which can cause harm.

Prior to this project commencing, we found:

• 52 per cent of parents surveys reported their infant was prescribed an AST
• parents and clinicians had a poor understanding that ASTs caused harm and could not identify specific harms
• 67 per cent believed that AST medications had benefits for infants
• clinician confidence and capability to manage infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux or discuss potential harms and benefits of AST with parents varied.

Outcome

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Together with the Royal Children’s Hospital, we:

• worked with four Victorian hospitals to understand why acid suppression therapy (AST) continues to be unnecessarily prescribed to infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux
• co-developed the resources with clinicians and consumers representative
• piloted the materials at three Victorian hospitals. 

As a result of the pilot, we saw a:

• 21 per cent reduction in AST prescribing in infants
• 46 per cent increase in clinicians advising parents to cease ASTs in infants
• 19 per cent increase in parents recognising that ASTs can cause harm in infants.

Target

•    Reduced prescribing of AST in infants across three Victorian hospitals
•    Increased cessation of ASTs in infants.