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Antimicrobial stewardship in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.
Am J Infect Control. 2017 Jul 18;:
Authors: Gibbons JA, Smith HL, Kumar SC, Duggins KJ, Bushman AM, Danielson JM, Yost WJ, Wadle JJ
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research on treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) has shown improved patient outcomes with effective pharmaceutic prescribing. Antimicrobial stewardship programs can reduce consequences of broad-spectrum antimicrobial administration in SSTI treatment.
METHODS: Prospective and historic control data were collected during two 7-month periods. Intervention consisted of implementing a new SSTI evidence-based treatment algorithm and provider education, including calls and medical record notes targeted at physicians.
RESULTS: Of 412 patients, 76 and 86 were found eligible from the historic and intervention groups, respectively. The intervention group had a higher prevalence of appropriate antibiotic usage (33% vs 19%, respectively; P = .04). There was a lower median number of days from intravenous antibiotic therapy to oral conversion (3 vs 5; P < .0001) and a lower median number of days of antipseudomonal antibiotic use (3 vs 5; P = .03) in the intervention group, respectively. The intervention group also had fewer documented SSTI treatment complications (1% vs 8%, respectively; P = .04). The positive outcomes outlined demonstrate potential impacts made from the use of multidisciplinary antibiotic stewardship initiatives.
CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents under the direction of an antimicrobial stewardship program can lead to improved outcomes for patients being treated for SSTIs.
PMID: 28732743 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]