Quality statement 4Patients with bronchiectasis and three or more exacerbations per year should be considered for long-term antibiotic treatment.
Quality measureStructure:
  • Evidence of local arrangements to record the number of exacerbations per year in patients with bronchiectasis and record consideration of long-term antibiotic treatment.


Process:
  • Proportion of adults with bronchiectasis and three or more exacerbations per year that are considered for long-term antibiotic treatment.


Numerator:
  • The number of people with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis and three or more exacerbations per year in whom long-term antibiotics are considered.


Denominator:
  • The number of people with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis and three or more exacerbations per year.

Description of what the quality statement means for each audienceService providers ensure systems are in place for recording exacerbation number and consideration of long-term antibiotic treatment.
Healthcare professionals ensure that a record of the number of exacerbations per year in patients with bronchiectasis is made and that consideration of long-term antibiotic treatment is recorded in those with three or more exacerbations per year.
Commissioners ensure that appropriate services are available to enable consideration of long-term antibiotic treatment.
People with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis and three or more exacerbations per year are considered for long-term antibiotic treatment.
Relevant existing indicators
  • BTS Guideline for Bronchiectasis in Adults 2019.2

  • BTS Quality Standard for Bronchiectasis.3

  • BTS National Audits of Bronchiectasis 2010, 2011.4

Other possible national data sourcesNone identified.
Source references
  • BTS Guideline for Bronchiectasis in Adults 2019.2

  • BTS Quality Standard for Bronchiectasis.3

  • BTS National Audits of Bronchiectasis 2010, 2011.4

Rationale
  • The BTS guidelines recommend the consideration of long-term antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis that experience three or more exacerbations per year. This was a grade A recommendation based on the evidence from randomised controlled trials that long-term antibiotics reduce exacerbations in bronchiectasis.