About the project
The Antibiotic Prescribing Excellence in Primary Care (APEX-PC) project aims to increase antibiotic prescribing concordance with evidence-based guidelines (Therapeutic Guidelines) for selected common infections. This will allow Victorians to receive safe and effective antibiotics.
Objectives
- Increase antibiotic prescribing concordance with evidenced based guidelines for selected common infections.
- Support the prevention of antibiotic resistance.
- Improve general practitioners’ review and reflection of prescribing patterns in concordance with Therapeutic Guidelines.
Background
Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic previously used to treat or prevent a bacterial infection no longer works.
This global issue threatens public health by increasing mortality and limiting treatment options.
By limiting the choice of antibiotic treatment options available, antibiotic resistance can lead to increased treatment times, additional costs, and an increase in potential side effects.
Solution design
To deliver the project, we have partnered with:
- The University of Melbourne’s Department of General Practice and Primary Care (UoM)
- The National Centre of Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS)
- Therapeutic Guidelines.
Under this partnership, the UoM’s Department of General Practice and Primary Care will deliver an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program to recruited general practices.
AMS involves a range of activities that support the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials (including antibiotics). APEX PC is based on a pilot in primary care that was undertaken from November 2019 to August 2020.
The intervention design is based on an audit and feedback model where participating general practices will have their antibiotic prescribing data for infections commonly presenting in primary care extracted and analysed by UoM over three 3-month audit periods.
To help prescribers review and improve their prescribing practices, they will receive individualised feedback reports and educational webinars from UoM.
How to get involved
The current phase of APEX PC will conclude on 31 December 2025.
Contact us
For updates on future phases or opportunities to participate, please contact SCV’s Quality Use of Medicines Improvement Team
Email: QUMImprovement@safercare.vic.gov.au.
Project milestones
The APEX PC project is being delivered from June 2024 through to December 2025, with a dedicated evaluation phase extending to 30 June 2026.
The project includes three planned 3-month audit periods
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Audit Period 1 | July – September 2024 |
| Audit Period 2 | January – March 2025 |
| Audit Period 3 | July – September 2025 |
Participating services
There are 97 GPs from 31 general practices across Victoria involved in this project.
Participating practices
View more View less| Alsalam Medical Centre | Robinson Street Medical Centre |
| Banksia Medical Centre (Torquay & Newcomb) | SIA Medical Croydon |
| Campaspe Family Practice | SIA Medical Centre - Moonee Ponds |
| Deepdene Surgery | Shepparton Medical Centre |
| Eleanor Clinic | Spring Medical (Daylesford, Kyneton & Trentham). |
| Kardinia Health Medical Centre | St Kilda Medical Group |
| Kerang Medical Clinic | Sun Crescent Medical Centre |
| Langpark Medical Centre | Surfcoast Medical |
| Lygon Court Medical Clinic | Tailored Medical Centre |
| Mediscreen Clinic | The Clinic Footscray |
| Melville Medical Group | Toorak Medical Centre |
| Modern Medical Balwyn | Victoria Harbour Medical Centre |
| Murchison Medical Clinic | Wyndham Health Care |
| Ringwood Family Medical Centre | Yarrawonga Denis Medical Group |
More information
What health professionals can do – Infographic - Australian Government | Department of Health and Aged Care
Preventing antibiotic resistance: patient handout - North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
Shared decision making – Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Priority area
This project supports our broader effort to ensure safe medication practices.