Online Support Reduces Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescriptions
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 26 Feb 2019 |
|
A new study shows that electronically delivered prescribing feedback and online decision support reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory illness.
Researchers at the University of Southampton (US; United Kingdom), the University of Bristol (United Kingdom), King’s College London (KCL; United Kingdom), and other institutions conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electronically delivered prescribing feedback and decision support interventions to doctors in general practice (GP) at reducing antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting respiratory tract infections.
The randomized controlled trial involved patients in79 GPs who were randomized to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention or usual care between November 2015 and August 2016, with final follow-up in August 2017. AMS intervention comprised a brief training webinar, automated monthly feedback reports of antibiotic prescribing, and electronic decision support tools to inform appropriate prescribing. The main outcome measure was the rate of antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections, as derived from electronic health records (EHRs).
The results showed that antibiotic prescribing was reduced by 12% overall, indicating one antibiotic prescription avoided for every 62 patients. There was no evidence that serious bacterial complications, including pneumonia or scarlet fever, were increased as the result of the AWS intervention. The results also showed that despite AWS, doctors did not reduce antibiotic prescribing to children (under 15 years) or to older adults (85 years and older). The study was published on February 13, 2019, in BMJ.
“Misuse of antibiotics is putting us all at risk. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed is leading to the emergence of resistant infections that can be very difficult to treat,” said lead author Professor Martin Gulliford, MD, PhD, of the department of public health at KCL. “This trial showed that providing GPs with information about their use of antibiotics for respiratory illnesses led to a reduction in antibiotic use. If this approach is scaled up nationally, it could contribute to reducing the emergence of antibiotic resistance.”
Approximately two million people suffer antibiotic-resistant infections annually, which result in over 23,000 deaths. Major drivers of resistance include self-medication, noncompliance, misinformation, and advertising pressures, combined with ignorance, lack of education, and lack of access to healthcare. The problem is complicated by both economic and social barriers to the rational use of drugs, for example in hospitals.
Related Links:
University of Southampton
University of Bristol
King’s College London
Researchers at the University of Southampton (US; United Kingdom), the University of Bristol (United Kingdom), King’s College London (KCL; United Kingdom), and other institutions conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electronically delivered prescribing feedback and decision support interventions to doctors in general practice (GP) at reducing antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting respiratory tract infections.
The randomized controlled trial involved patients in79 GPs who were randomized to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention or usual care between November 2015 and August 2016, with final follow-up in August 2017. AMS intervention comprised a brief training webinar, automated monthly feedback reports of antibiotic prescribing, and electronic decision support tools to inform appropriate prescribing. The main outcome measure was the rate of antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory tract infections, as derived from electronic health records (EHRs).
The results showed that antibiotic prescribing was reduced by 12% overall, indicating one antibiotic prescription avoided for every 62 patients. There was no evidence that serious bacterial complications, including pneumonia or scarlet fever, were increased as the result of the AWS intervention. The results also showed that despite AWS, doctors did not reduce antibiotic prescribing to children (under 15 years) or to older adults (85 years and older). The study was published on February 13, 2019, in BMJ.
“Misuse of antibiotics is putting us all at risk. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed is leading to the emergence of resistant infections that can be very difficult to treat,” said lead author Professor Martin Gulliford, MD, PhD, of the department of public health at KCL. “This trial showed that providing GPs with information about their use of antibiotics for respiratory illnesses led to a reduction in antibiotic use. If this approach is scaled up nationally, it could contribute to reducing the emergence of antibiotic resistance.”
Approximately two million people suffer antibiotic-resistant infections annually, which result in over 23,000 deaths. Major drivers of resistance include self-medication, noncompliance, misinformation, and advertising pressures, combined with ignorance, lack of education, and lack of access to healthcare. The problem is complicated by both economic and social barriers to the rational use of drugs, for example in hospitals.
Related Links:
University of Southampton
University of Bristol
King’s College London
Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
New
Patient Preoperative Skin Preparation
BD ChloraPrep
New
Resorbable Bovine Collagen Membrane
GenDerm
Latest Critical Care News
- Noninvasive Monitoring Device Enables Earlier Intervention in Heart Failure
- Automated IV Labeling Solution Improves Infusion Safety and Efficiency
- First-Of-Its-Kind AI Tool Detects Pulmonary Hypertension from Standard ECGs
- 4D Digital Twin Heart Model Improves CRT Outcomes
- AI Turns Glucose Data Into Actionable Insights for Diabetes Care
- Microscale Wireless Implant Tracks Brain Activity Over Time
- Smart Mask Delivers Continuous, Battery-Free Breath Monitoring
- Routine Blood Pressure Readings May Identify Risk of Future Cognitive Decline
- CGM-Based Algorithm Enhances Insulin Dose Adjustment in Type 2 Diabetes
- Fish Scale–Based Implants Offer New Approach to Corneal Repair
- Dual-Function Wound Patch Combines Infection Sensing and Treatment
- Smartwatch Signals and Blood Tests Team Up for Early Warning on Insulin Resistance
- Smart Fabric Technology Aims to Prevent Pressure Injuries in Hospital Care
- Standardized Treatment Algorithm Improves Blood Pressure Control
- Combined Infection Control Strategy Limits Drug-Resistant Outbreak in NICU
- AI Helps Predict Which Heart-Failure Patients Will Worsen Within a Year
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
Machine Learning Approach Enhances Liver Cancer Risk Stratification
Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer, is often detected late despite targeted surveillance programs. Current screening guidelines emphasize patients with known cirrhosis,... Read more
New AI Approach Monitors Brain Health Using Passive Wearable Data
Brain health spans cognitive and emotional functions and can fluctuate even in adults without diagnosed disease. Detecting early changes remains difficult in routine care and burdens specialty services... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
Continuous Monitoring with Wearables Enhances Postoperative Patient Safety
Postoperative hypoxemia on general surgical wards is common and often missed by intermittent vital sign checks. Undetected low oxygen levels can delay recovery and raise the risk of complications that... Read more
New Approach Enables Customized Muscle Tissue Without Biomaterial Scaffolds
Volumetric muscle loss is a traumatic loss of skeletal muscle that often leads to permanent functional impairment and limited reconstructive options. Current experimental strategies struggle to deliver... Read more
Patient Care
view channel
Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disorder that makes breathing difficult and often disturbs sleep, reducing energy for daily activities. Limited engagement in pulmonary... Read more
Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care
More than 80% of in-hospital patients receive intravenous (IV) therapy. Every dose of IV medicine delivered in a small volume (<250 mL) infusion bag should be followed by subsequent flushing to ensure... Read more
Health IT
view channel
EMR-Based Tool Predicts Graft Failure After Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplantation offers patients with end-stage kidney disease longer survival and better quality of life than dialysis, yet graft failure remains a major challenge. Although a successful transplant... Read more
Printable Molecule-Selective Nanoparticles Enable Mass Production of Wearable Biosensors
The future of medicine is likely to focus on the personalization of healthcare—understanding exactly what an individual requires and delivering the appropriate combination of nutrients, metabolites, and... Read more
Business
view channel
GE HealthCare Leads Major European Initiative to Advance Cardio-Oncology Care
Cardiovascular complications are increasingly recognized among people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, driven by pre‑existing disease and the cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy,... Read more
