EQUAL Candida Score: An ECMM score derived from current guidelines to measure QUAlity of Clinical Candidaemia Management

• DOI: 10.1111/myc.12746
• Publication Date: 2018-01-12T00:22:47Z
• Authors: Sibylle C. Mellin...; Martin Hoenigl; Philipp Koehler; Anil Kumar; Katrien Lagrou; Cornelia Lass‐Flörl; Jacques F. Meis; Vidya Menon; Riina Rautemaa‐Ri...; Oliver A. Cornely
• Keywords: Guideline; Echinocandins; Clinical Microbiology; Candida infections

Candida species frequently cause blood stream infections and are reported to be the third tenth most commonly isolated pathogens. Guidelines standardised treatment algorithms provided by professional organisations aim facilitate decision-making regarding diagnosis, management of candidaemia. In routine clinical practise, however, it may challenging comply with these guidelines. The reasons include lack familiarity or feasibility adherence, but also their length complexity. There is no tool measure guideline adherence currently. To provide such a tool, we reviewed current guidelines European Society for Clinical Microbiology Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) America (IDSA), selected strongest recommendations quality as bases our scoring tool. Factors incorporated were diagnostic (blood cultures, echocardiography, ophthalmoscopy, identification) follow-up procedures (repeat cultures until negative result) well key parameters (echinocandin treatment, step down fluconazole depending on susceptibility result, CVC removal). EQUAL Score weighs aggregates factors recommended ideal candidaemia provides antifungal stewardship measuring adherence.