Digital Antimicrobial Stewardship Decision Support to Improve Antimicrobial Management

Abstract

Abstract Objectives We sought to create a digital application to support clinicians in empiric and pathogen-directed antibiotic ordering based on local susceptibility patterns and evidence-based treatment durations, thereby promoting antimicrobial stewardship. Methods We formed a multidisciplinary team that met bimonthly from 2017 to 2018 to design and construct a web-based antimicrobial stewardship platform called Antibiogram + . We used an iterative and agile technical development process with frequent feedback from clinicians. Results Antibiogram+ is an online tool, accessible via the electronic health record and hospital intranet, which offers institutional antibiotic susceptibilities for major pathogens, recommendations for empiric antibiotic selection and treatment durations for common pediatric conditions, antimicrobial dosing and monitoring guidance, and links to other internal clinical decision support resources. The tool was accessed 11,823 times with 492 average monthly views during the first 2 years after release. Compared with use of a preexisting print antibiogram and dosing card, pediatric residents more frequently reported “often” being sure of antibiotic dosing with Antibiogram+ (58 vs. 15%, p < 0.01). Respondents also reported improved confidence in choice of antibiotic, but this finding did not reach statistical significance (55 vs. 35%, p = 0.26). Conclusion We report the successful development of a digital antimicrobial stewardship platform with consistent rates of access during the first 2 years following release and improved provider comfort with antibiotic management.