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Kassamali Escobar Z, Shively NR. Health System and Tele-Antimicrobial Stewardship: The Role of Building Networks. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2023; 37:873-900. [PMID: 37657974 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Tele-antimicrobial stewardship programs (tele-ASPs) use technology and remote access to resources and clinical expertise to expand antimicrobial services within and outside of health systems. Models of tele-ASPs are workforce multiplying and workforce extending, depending on how they are structured. Building rapport and strong interpersonal networks are essential for successful ASPs. The available evidence suggests that an optimal model for tele-ASP includes hands-on involvement from remote infectious disease (ID) expertise with implementation by local pharmacists. However, this model remains limited by the available time and cost of ID-trained specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Kassamali Escobar
- University of Washington Center for Stewardship in Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 825 Eastlake Avenue, Mail Stop G5-900, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Nathan R Shively
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny Health Network, 320 E North Avenue, Fourth Floor, East Wing, Suite 406, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA.
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Dirjayanto VJ, Lazarus G, Geraldine P, Dyson NG, Triastari SK, Anjani JV, Wisnu NK, Sugiharta AJ. Efficacy of telemedicine-based antimicrobial stewardship program to combat antimicrobial resistance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Telemed Telecare 2023:1357633X231204919. [PMID: 37847852 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231204919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat. Improving antimicrobial use is the main strategy against AMR, but it is challenging to implement especially in low-resource settings. Thus, this review aims to explore the efficacy of telehealth-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP), which is more accessible. METHODS Registered to PROSPERO and following PRISMA guidelines, literature search was performed in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Science Direct, EBSCOhost, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, searching for studies implementing telehealth ASP. Critical appraisal of studies was performed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for Cohort Studies (NOS), Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (RoB) 2.0, and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I). We utilized inverse variance, random effects model to obtain the pooled odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) estimates, as well as sensitivity and subgroup analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The search yielded 14 studies. Telehealth-based ASP was associated with better adherence to guidelines (pooled OR: 2.78 [95%CI:1.29-5.99], p = 0.009; I2 = 93%), within which streamlining yielded better odds (pooled OR: 30.54 [95%CI:10.42-89.52], p < 0.001) more than the compliance with policy subgroup (pooled OR: 1.60 [95%CI:1.02-2.51], p = 0.04). The odds of antimicrobial prescription rate reduced significantly (pooled OR: 0.60 [95%CI:0.42-0.85], p = 0.005; I2 = 94%), especially for the lower respiratory infection subgroup (pooled OR: 0.37 [95%CI:0.28-0.49], p < 0.001). Days of therapy decreased (pooled MD: -47.12 [95%CI: -85.78- -8.46], p = 0.02; I2 = 100%), with the greatest effect in acute care settings (pooled MD: -97.73 [95%CI:-147.48-47.97], p = 0.0001). Mortality did not change significantly (pooled OR: 1.20 [95%CI:0.69-2.10], p = 0.52; I2 = 63%). CONCLUSION Telehealth-based ASP was proven beneficial to increase adherence to guideline and reduce prescription rates, without significantly affecting patient clinical outcome. After further studies, we recommend more widespread use of telemedicine to combat AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J Dirjayanto
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Gilbert Lazarus
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Priscilla Geraldine
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Nathaniel G Dyson
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Stella K Triastari
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Jasmine V Anjani
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Nayla Kp Wisnu
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
| | - Adrianus J Sugiharta
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java 16424, Indonesia
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Olsen GH, Gee PM, Wolfe D, Winberg C, Carpenter L, Jones C, Jacobs JR, Leither L, Peltan ID, Singer SJ, Asch SM, Grissom CK, Srivastava R, Knighton AJ. Awakening and Breathing Coordination: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Determinants of Implementation. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:1483-1490. [PMID: 37413692 PMCID: PMC10559139 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202212-1048oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Routine spontaneous awakening and breathing trial coordination (SAT/SBT) improves outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients, but adherence varies. Understanding barriers to and facilitators of consistent daily use of SAT/SBT (implementation determinants) can guide the development of implementation strategies to increase adherence to these evidence-based interventions. Objectives: We conducted an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods study to measure variation in the routine daily use of SAT/SBT and to identify implementation determinants that might explain variation in SAT/SBT use across 15 intensive care units (ICUs) in urban and rural locations within an integrated, community-based health system. Methods: We described the patient population and measured adherence to daily use of coordinated SAT/SBT from January to June 2021, selecting four sites with varied adherence levels for semistructured field interviews. We conducted key informant interviews with critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians/advanced practice clinicians (n = 55) from these four sites between October and December 2021 and performed content analysis to identify implementation determinants of SAT/SBT use. Results: The 15 sites had 1,901 ICU admissions receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for ⩾24 hours during the measurement period. The mean IMV patient age was 58 years, and the median IMV duration was 5.3 days (interquartile range, 2.5-11.9). Coordinated SAT/SBT adherence (within 2 h) was estimated at 21% systemwide (site range, 9-68%). ICU clinicians were generally familiar with SAT/SBT but varied in their knowledge and beliefs about what constituted an evidence-based SAT/SBT. Clinicians reported that SAT/SBT coordination was difficult in the context of existing ICU workflows, and existing protocols did not explicitly define how coordination should be performed. The lack of an agreed-upon system-level measure for tracking daily use of SAT/SBT led to uncertainty regarding what constituted adherence. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic increased clinician workloads, impacting performance. Conclusions: Coordinated SAT/SBT adherence varied substantially across 15 ICUs within an integrated, community-based health system. Implementation strategies that address barriers identified by this study, including knowledge deficits, challenges regarding workflow coordination, and the lack of performance measurement, should be tested in future hybrid implementation-effectiveness trials to increase adherence to daily use of coordinated SAT/SBT and minimize harm related to the prolonged use of mechanical ventilation and sedation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Perry M. Gee
- Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, Intermountain Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Doug Wolfe
- Intermountain Healthcare Delivery Institute and
| | - Carrie Winberg
- Critical Care Operations, Intermountain Health, Murray, Utah
| | - Lori Carpenter
- Critical Care Operations, Intermountain Health, Murray, Utah
| | - Chris Jones
- Critical Care Operations, Intermountain Health, Murray, Utah
| | - Jason R. Jacobs
- Critical Care Operations, Intermountain Health, Murray, Utah
| | - Lindsay Leither
- Critical Care Operations, Intermountain Health, Murray, Utah
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah
| | - Ithan D. Peltan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah
| | - Sara J. Singer
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; and
| | - Steven M. Asch
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; and
| | - Colin K. Grissom
- Critical Care Operations, Intermountain Health, Murray, Utah
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah
| | - Rajendu Srivastava
- Intermountain Healthcare Delivery Institute and
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Primary Children’s Hospital, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Moon SY, Lim KR, Son JS. The role of infectious disease consultations in the management of patients with fever in a long-term care facility. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291421. [PMID: 37683019 PMCID: PMC10491299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious disease (ID) clinicians can provide essential services for febrile patients in tertiary hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ID consultations (IDC) in managing hospitalized patients with infections in an oriental medical hospital (OMH), which serves as a long-term care facility. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the role of IDCs in managing patients in an OMH. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted in an OMH in Seoul, Korea, from June 2006 to June 2013. RESULTS Among the 465 cases of hospital-acquired fever, 141 (30.3%) were referred for ID. The most common cause of fever was infection in both groups. The peak body temperature of the patient was higher in IDC group (38.8±0.6°C vs. 38.6±0.5°C, p<0.001). Crude mortality at 30 days (14.6% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.043) and infection-attributable mortality (15.3% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.039) were higher in the No-IDC group. Multivariable analysis showed that infection as the focus of fever (adjusted Odd ratio [aOR] 3.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64-7.44), underlying cancer (aOR 10.32, 95% CI 4.34-24.51,), and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (aOR 15.68, 95% CI 2.06-119.08) were associated with increased 30-day mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that in patients with infectious fever, appropriate antibiotic therapy (aOR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.76) was the only factor associated with decreased infection-attributable mortality while underlying cancer (aOR 7.80, 95% CI 2.555-23.807) and severe sepsis or septic shock at the onset of fever (aOR 10.15, 95% CI 1.00-102.85) were associated with increased infection-attributable mortality. CONCLUSION Infection was the most common cause of fever in patients hospitalized for OMH. Infection as the focus of fever, underlying cancer, and MODS was associated with increased 30-day mortality in patients with nosocomial fever. Appropriate antibiotic therapy was associated with decreased infection-attributable mortality in patients with infectious fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-youn Moon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Ree Lim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Seong Son
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, Korea
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Lapin JS, Smith RD, Hornback KM, Johnson JK, Claeys KC. From bottle to bedside: Implementation considerations and antimicrobial stewardship considerations for bloodstream infection rapid diagnostic testing. Pharmacotherapy 2023; 43:847-863. [PMID: 37158053 DOI: 10.1002/phar.2813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs have been quick to adopt novel molecular rapid diagnostic technologies (mRDTs) for bloodstream infections (BSIs) to improve antimicrobial management. As such, most of the literature demonstrating the clinical and economic benefits of mRDTs for BSI is in the presence of active AMS intervention. Leveraging mRDTs to improve antimicrobial therapy for BSI is increasingly integral to AMS program activities. This narrative review discusses available and future mRDTs, the relationship between the clinical microbiology laboratory and AMS programs, and practical considerations for optimizing the use of these tools within a health system. Antimicrobial stewardship programs must work closely with their clinical microbiology laboratories to ensure that mRDTs are used to their fullest benefit while remaining cognizant of their limitations. As more mRDT instruments and panels become available and AMS programs continue to expand, future efforts must consider the expansion beyond traditional settings of large academic medical centers and how combinations of tools can further improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Lapin
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard D Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Krutika M Hornback
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - J Kristie Johnson
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kimberly C Claeys
- Department of Pharmacy Science and Health Outcomes Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Hollingshead CM, Khazan AE, Franco JH, Ciricillo JA, Haddad MN, Berry JT, Kammeyer JA. A Needs Assessment for Infectious Diseases Consultation in Community Hospitals. Infect Dis Ther 2023:10.1007/s40121-023-00810-4. [PMID: 37243912 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00810-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infectious diseases (ID) consultations have been demonstrated to improve patient outcomes in the treatment of severe infections. However, ID consultation is often unavailable to patients that live in rural communities. Little is known regarding the treatment of infections in rural hospitals with no coverage from an ID specialist. We characterized the outcomes of patients cared for in hospitals without coverage from an ID physician. METHODS Patients aged 18 years or older admitted to eight community hospitals without access to ID consultation during a 6.5-month period were assessed. All patients had received at least three days of continuous antimicrobial therapy. The primary outcome was the need for transfer to a tertiary facility for ID services. The secondary outcome was the characterization of antimicrobials received. Antimicrobial courses were evaluated independently by two board-certified ID physicians. RESULTS 3706 encounters were evaluated. Transfers for ID consultation occurred in 0.01% of patients. The ID physician would have made modifications in 68.5% of patients. Areas for improvement included treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, broad-spectrum treatment of skin and soft tissue infection, long courses of azithromycin, and management of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, including choice and length of therapy, as well as obtaining echocardiography. Patients evaluated received 22,807 days of antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients hospitalized in community hospitals are rarely transferred for ID consultation. Our work demonstrates a need for ID consultation in community hospitals, identifying opportunities to enhance patient care by modifying antimicrobial regimens to improve antimicrobial stewardship and avoid inappropriate antimicrobials. Efforts to expand the ID workforce to include coverage at rural hospitals will likely improve antibiotic utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn M Hollingshead
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Mail Stop: 1186, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
| | - Ana E Khazan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Justin H Franco
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Jacob A Ciricillo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michael N Haddad
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Julia T Berry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA
| | - Joel A Kammeyer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Mail Stop: 1186, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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Jelinski D, Julien D, Cook S, Harris S, Logan T, Sabuda D, Dersch-Mills D, Wong C, Webster S, Constantinescu C, Hoang H, Conly J. The Alberta Telestewardship Network: Building a platform to enable capacity building in antimicrobial stewardship-results of an initial pilot study. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2023; 8:90-93. [PMID: 37008585 PMCID: PMC10052904 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2022-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Resources to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AS) are limited, but a telestewardship platform can enable capacity building and scalability. The Alberta Telestewardship Network (ATeleNet) was designed to focus on outreach across the province of Alberta, Canada, and facilitate AS activities. Methods Outreach occurred virtually between pharmacists and physicians in hospital and long-term care settings throughout Alberta via secure, enterprise video conferencing software on both desktop and mobile devices. We used a quantitative questionnaire adapted from the telehealth usability questionnaire to capture the health provider's experience during each session. The questionnaire consisted of 39 questions, and a 5-point Likert scale was used to assess the degree of agreement and collate responses into a descriptive analysis. Results A total of 33 pilot consultations were completed between July 6, 2020 and December 15, 2021. The majority (22, 85%) of respondents agreed that video conference-based virtual sessions are an acceptable means to provide health care and that they were able to express themselves effectively to other health care professionals (23, 88%). Respondents agreed the system was simple to use (23, 96%), and that they could become productive quickly using the system (23, 88%). Overall, 24 (92%) respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the virtual care platform. Conclusions We implemented and evaluated a telehealth consultation and collaborative care service between AS providers at multiple centres. AHS has since prioritized similar workflows, including access to specialists in acute care, as part of their virtual health strategy. Evaluation results will be shared with provincial stakeholders for further strategic planning and deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Jelinski
- AMR - One Health Consortium, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Danielle Julien
- AMR - One Health Consortium, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandra Cook
- Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sabrina Harris
- Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
| | - Timothy Logan
- Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deana Sabuda
- Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Catherine Wong
- Virtual Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sara Webster
- Virtual Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cora Constantinescu
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Holly Hoang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Covenant Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Conly
- AMR - One Health Consortium, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Livorsi DJ, Abdel-Massih R, Crnich CJ, Dodds-Ashley ES, Evans CT, Goedken CC, Echevarria KL, Kelly AA, Spires SS, Veillette JJ, Vento TJ, Jump RLP. An Implementation Roadmap for Establishing Remote Infectious Disease Specialist Support for Consultation and Antibiotic Stewardship in Resource-Limited Settings. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac588. [PMID: 36544860 PMCID: PMC9757681 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious Disease (ID)-trained specialists, defined as ID pharmacists and ID physicians, improve hospital care by providing consultations to patients with complicated infections and by leading programs that monitor and improve antibiotic prescribing. However, many hospitals and nursing homes lack access to ID specialists. Telehealth is an effective tool to deliver ID specialist expertise to resource-limited settings. Telehealth services are most useful when they are adapted to meet the needs and resources of the local setting. In this step-by-step guide, we describe how a tailored telehealth program can be implemented to provide remote ID specialist support for direct patient consultation and to support local antibiotic stewardship activities. We outline 3 major phases of putting a telehealth program into effect: pre-implementation, implementation, and sustainment. To increase the likelihood of success, we recommend actively involving local leadership and other stakeholders in all aspects of developing, implementing, measuring, and refining programmatic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Livorsi
- VA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Iowa City (VRHRC-IC), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Rima Abdel-Massih
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Infectious Disease Connect, Inc, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher J Crnich
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Charlesnika T Evans
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH), Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical Center, Hines, Illinois, USA
- Preventive Medicine and Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cassie Cunningham Goedken
- VA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Iowa City (VRHRC-IC), Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Kelly L Echevarria
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Antimicrobial Stewardship Task Force, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Allison A Kelly
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Antimicrobial Stewardship Task Force, Washington, DC, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - S Shaefer Spires
- Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John J Veillette
- Intermountain Healthcare TeleHealth Services, Murray, Utah, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Todd J Vento
- Intermountain Healthcare TeleHealth Services, Murray, Utah, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Robin L P Jump
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Shively NR, Jacobs MW, Moffa MA, Schorr RE, Walsh TL. Factors Associated with Acceptance of Telehealth-based Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Recommendations in a Community Hospital Health System. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac458. [PMID: 36168548 PMCID: PMC9511121 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Telehealth-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (TeleASPs) have led to reduced broad-spectrum antimicrobial utilization. Data on factors associated with acceptance of stewardship recommendations are limited. Methods A TeleASP, facilitated by remote infectious disease physicians and local pharmacists, was implemented in 2 community hospitals from February 2018 through July 2020. Variables potentially affecting acceptance of TeleASP recommendations were tracked. Odds ratios of acceptance were determined utilizing multiple logistic regression. Results During the 30-month period, 4863 (91.2%) of the total 5333 recommendations were accepted. Factors associated with a higher odds of acceptance in multivariable analysis were recommendations for antimicrobial dose/frequency adjustment (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% CI, 1.6–4.3) and order for labs/tests (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.1–5.2), while recommendations for antimicrobial de-escalation (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60–0.95) and antimicrobial discontinuation (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42–0.76) were associated with lower odds of acceptance. Female physicians were more likely to accept recommendations compared with males (93.1% vs 90.3% acceptance; OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.3–2.2). Compared with physicians with <3 years of experience, who had the highest acceptance rate (96.3%), physicians with ≥21 years of experience had the lowest (87.1%; OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15–0.45). Conclusions TeleASP recommendations were accepted at a high rate. Acceptance rates were higher among female physicians, and recommendations to stop or de-escalate antimicrobials led to lower acceptance. Recommendations made to the most experienced physicians were the least accepted, which may be an important factor for stewardship programs to consider in education and intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R Shively
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny Health Network , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Max W Jacobs
- Department of Medicine, Allegheny Health Network , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Matthew A Moffa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny Health Network , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Rebecca E Schorr
- Care Analytics, Highmark Health , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Thomas L Walsh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny Health Network , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , USA
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Mailig M, Cookson NA, Schulz LT. Telestewardship programs support clinical care and improve fiscal outcomes across the continuum through partnership between hospitals and health systems: A systematic review. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2022; 79:1663-1673. [PMID: 35773093 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxac179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DISCLAIMER In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. PURPOSE A systematic review was performed to determine if remote stewardship (telestewardship) provides clinical and fiscal benefit and is a feasible alternative to local stewardship programs. SUMMARY Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly important national and global threat. US regulators have made antimicrobial stewardship programs a condition of participation in federally funded healthcare programs, and stewardship programs are surveyed during accreditation visits. Small and rural hospitals are at risk for stewardship noncompliance because lack of resources limits comprehensive stewardship program implementation. Remote stewardship programs are established to remedy this area of partial compliance. To characterize the impact of remote stewardship on selected clinical and fiscal outcomes, PubMed was searched for studies involving telestewardship that reported data on antimicrobial utilization, patient length of stay, mortality, bacterial susceptibility, hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection (HA-CDI) , and/or antimicrobial costs. A systematic approach was used to screen study titles, abstracts, and content and data extracted. Study quality was analyzed using Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tools. Fourteen studies were included in the final review. Collectively, the antimicrobial utilization data was positive, with utilization of targeted antimicrobials decreasing after telestewardship implementation. Mixed (both positive and neutral) results were found for patient length of stay, mortality, and HA-CDI rates. Fiscal outcomes were consistently positive. CONCLUSION Based on the reviewed evidence, remote antimicrobial stewardship programs may aid in the more judicious use of antimicrobials by decreasing utilization rates. More studies are needed to clarify patient-oriented outcomes. Telestewardship has positive effects in terms of cost savings, although savings may be offset by the structure of the program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan A Cookson
- Department of Pharmacy, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, USA
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Khadem TM, Ergen HJ, Salata HJ, Andrzejewski C, McCreary EK, Abdel Massih RC, Bariola JR. Impact of Clinical Decision Support System Implementation at a Community Hospital with an Existing Tele-Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac235. [PMID: 35836746 PMCID: PMC9274440 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lack of on-site antimicrobial stewardship expertise is a barrier to establishing successful programs. Tele-antimicrobial stewardship programs (TASPs) utilizing a clinical decision support system (CDSS) can address these challenges. Methods This interrupted time series study reports the impact of CDSS implementation (February 2020) within an existing TASP on antimicrobial usage in a community hospital. Segmented regression analysis was used to assess differences in antimicrobial usage from January 2018 through December 2021. Pre- and post-CDSS frequencies of intravenous vs oral antimicrobials, time to optimal therapy (TTOT), pharmacist efficiency (number of documented interventions per month), and percentage of hospitalized patients receiving antimicrobials were compared with descriptive statistics. Results Implementation of a CDSS into an existing TASP was associated with an immediate 11% reduction in antimicrobial usage (level change, P < .0001). Antimicrobial usage was already trending down by 0.25% per month (pre-CDSS slope, P < .0001) and continued to trend down at a similar rate after implementation (post-CDSS slope, P = .0129). Frequency of use of select oral agents increased from 38% to 57%. Median TTOT was 1 day faster (2.9 days pre-CDSS vs 1.9 days post-CDSS). On average, pharmacists documented 2.2-fold more interventions per month (198 vs 90) and patients received 1.03 fewer days of antimicrobials per admission post-CDSS. Conclusions Implementation of a CDSS within an established TASP at a community hospital resulted in decreased antimicrobial usage, higher rates of oral usage, faster TTOT, and improved pharmacist efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M. Khadem
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA USA
- UPMC Centralized Health-System Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts, Pittsburgh PA USA
- Infectious Disease Connect Inc., Pittsburgh PA USA
| | | | | | | | - Erin K. McCreary
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Infectious Disease Connect Inc., Pittsburgh PA USA
| | - Rima C. Abdel Massih
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Infectious Disease Connect Inc., Pittsburgh PA USA
| | - J. Ryan Bariola
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA USA
- UPMC Centralized Health-System Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts, Pittsburgh PA USA
- Infectious Disease Connect Inc., Pittsburgh PA USA
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12
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Cantey JB, Correa CC, Dugi DD, Huff E, Olaya JE, Farner R. Remote Stewardship for Medically Underserved Nurseries: A Stepped-Wedge, Cluster Randomized Study. Pediatrics 2022; 149:e2021055686. [PMID: 35411402 PMCID: PMC9648107 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-055686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Antibiotic overuse is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Many medically underserved centers lack pediatric antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) support. Telestewardship may mitigate this disparity. Authors of this study aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of a nursery-specific ASP delivered remotely. METHODS Remote ASP was implemented in 8 medically underserved newborn nurseries using a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized design over 3 years. This included a 15-month baseline period, a 9-month "step-in" period using random nursery order, and a 12-month postintervention period. The program consisted of education, audit, and feedback; and 24/7 infectious diseases provider-to-provider phone consultation availability. Outcomes included each center's volume of antibiotic use and the proportion of infants exposed to any antibiotics. Safety measures included length of stay, transfer to another facility, sepsis, and mortality. RESULTS During the study period, there were 9277 infants born (4586 preintervention, 4691 postintervention). Infants exposed to antibiotics declined from 6.2% pre-ASP to 4.2% post-ASP (relative risk 0.68 [95% confidence interval, 0.63% to 0.75%]). Total antibiotic use declined from 117 to 84.1 days of therapy per 1000 patient-days (-28% [95% confidence interval -22% to -34%]. No safety signals were observed. Most provider-to-provider consultations were <5 minutes in duration and occurred during normal business hours. CONCLUSIONS The number of infants exposed to antibiotics and total antibiotic use declined in medically underserved nurseries after implementing a remote ASP. No adverse safety events were seen, and the remote ASP time demands were manageable. Remote stewardship may be a safe and effective strategy for optimizing antibiotic use in medically underserved newborn nurseries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B. Cantey
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Neonatology and
Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health San
Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Cynthia C. Correa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dimmit Regional
Hospital, Carrizo Springs, Texas
| | - Daniel D. Dugi
- Department of Family Medicine, Cuero Regional Hospital,
Cuero, Texas
| | - Erin Huff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hill Country
Memorial Hospital, Fredericksburg, Texas
| | - Jorge E. Olaya
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics,
University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Rachael Farner
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Neonatology and
Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Health San
Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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13
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Shirazi OU, Ab Rahman NS, Zin CS. An overview of the hospitals’ antimicrobial stewardship programs implemented to improve antibiotics’ utilization, cost and resistance patterns. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY 2022. [DOI: 10.31436/jop.v2i1.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The high reliance of the physicians and surgeons on the antibiotics since their discovery has led to an irrational antibiotic utilization which not only has raised the incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) but also increased the cost of treatment with antibiotics as high use of antibiotics has been found related to the occurrence of certain nosocomial infections which need extra antibiotic courses to be cured. In order to overcome these antibiotic utilization related problems an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program being the set of various persuasive, restrictive and structural interventions is considered an effective tool to rationalize the in-patient antimicrobial utilization worldwide.
Method: The focus of this review is on the interventions that are being implemented during the in-patient AMS programs and have been described effective in controlling the antibiotic utilization, their cost of treatment and an overall infection control. The literature containing the information about various AMS interventions effecting the utilization and cost patterns along with the impact on AMR was searched in various databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Ovid (Medline) and Scopus. The categorical sorting of the published data is based on various AMS interventions such as the guideline development, formulary restriction (pre-authorization), educative interventions, clinical pathway development and prospective (post prescription) audit. Considering the objectives of the study such as the goal to curb overutilization of antibiotics, control of their cost of treatment for in-patients and infection control the sorted literature is presented in three different tables describing the AMS impact on the said outcomes.
Results: The post AMS changes in utilization patterns are described as fall of antibiotics defined daily doses (DDD) and days of therapy (DOT) which resulted in the reduction of the cost of treatment with antibiotics. The reduction of the cost of treatment with antibiotics also resulted due to the AMS impact on the control of various nosocomial and multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections.
Conclusion: It has been concluded that the AMS program if implemented under the supervision of an expert AMS team mainly comprising of an infectious disease (ID) physician, clinical pharmacists and microbiologists with considerable support by the hospital authorities could be a highly efficient tool of the pharmacovigilance for rationalizing the in-patient antimicrobial practice.
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14
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Pierce J, Stevens MP. The Emerging Role of Telehealth in Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Systematic Review and Perspective. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 13:175-191. [PMID: 34975344 PMCID: PMC8713008 DOI: 10.1007/s40506-021-00256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The purpose of this article is to critically evaluate the available literature on telehealth and antimicrobial stewardship. Recent Findings There is limited evidence regarding the role of telehealth within the discipline of antimicrobial stewardship. A review of the available literature suggests remote antimicrobial stewardship programs conducted via telehealth can decrease antimicrobial consumption. A direct comparison between traditional antimicrobial stewardship programs and remote antimicrobial stewardship programs is lacking. Summary Telehealth is a promising tool for expanding antimicrobial stewardship, especially in small rural or community hospitals. Trust, team, and technology, the three Ts of remote antimicrobial stewardship derived from themes within the available literature, can serve as a framework for developing a remote antimicrobial stewardship program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Pierce
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 1000 E Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Michael P Stevens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 1000 E Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298 USA
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15
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Yoon YK, Kwon KT, Jeong SJ, Moon C, Kim B, Kiem S, Kim HS, Heo E, Kim SW. Guidelines on Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korea. Infect Chemother 2021; 53:617-659. [PMID: 34623784 PMCID: PMC8511380 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2021.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
These guidelines were developed as a part of the 2021 Academic R&D Service Project of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in response to requests from healthcare professionals in clinical practice for guidance on developing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). These guidelines were developed by means of a systematic literature review and a summary of recent literature, in which evidence-based intervention methods were used to address key questions about the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents and ASP expansion. These guidelines also provide evidence of the effectiveness of ASPs and describe intervention methods applicable in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Kyung Yoon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Korean Society for Antimicrobial Therapy, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki Tae Kwon
- Korean Society for Antimicrobial Therapy, Seoul, Korea.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Su Jin Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chisook Moon
- Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, Seoul, Korea.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Bongyoung Kim
- Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungmin Kiem
- Korean Society for Antimicrobial Therapy, Seoul, Korea.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyung-Sook Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.,Korean Society of Health-System Pharmacist, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunjeong Heo
- Department of Pharmacy, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.,Korean Society of Health-System Pharmacist, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shin-Woo Kim
- Korean Society for Antimicrobial Therapy, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
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Andrzejewski C, McCreary EK, Khadem T, Abdel‐Massih RC, Bariola JR. Tele‐antimicrobial
stewardship programs: A review of the literature and the role of the pharmacist. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jac5.1489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin K. McCreary
- Infectious Disease Connect, Incorporated Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine UPMC Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Tina Khadem
- Infectious Disease Connect, Incorporated Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine UPMC Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- UPMC Community Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Rima C. Abdel‐Massih
- Infectious Disease Connect, Incorporated Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine UPMC Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - J. Ryan Bariola
- Infectious Disease Connect, Incorporated Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine UPMC Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- UPMC Community Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
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17
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Klatt ME, Schulz LT, Fleischman D, Fox BC, Burke S, Grinder D, Rose WE, Lepak AJ, Andes DR. Implementation of telehealth antimicrobial stewardship through partnership of an academic medical center and a community hospital. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2021; 78:2256-2264. [PMID: 34153104 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxab263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Small community hospitals often lack the human, financial, and technological resources necessary to implement and maintain successful antimicrobial stewardship programs now required by national regulatory and accrediting bodies. Creative solutions are needed to address this problem. SUMMARY A 3-stage, quasi-experimental study including patients receiving antibiotics for pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, and urinary tract infections at a community hospital in Wisconsin from June 2013 to December 2015 was conducted. Remote telehealth prospective audit and feedback, guideline and order set management, and staff education targeting pharmacists, nurses, and physicians were provided during the 7-month intervention phase; these services were then removed for the postintervention period. Antimicrobial utilization (days of therapy [DOT] per 1,000 patient-days), hospital length of stay, and readmission and 30-day mortality rates were assessed to determine the impact of telehealth services on these outcomes. During the preintervention (baseline), intervention, and postintervention periods, 1,037 patients received antibiotics for the targeted infectious disease conditions. Patient demographics and rates of infectious disease conditions were similar among the different periods. Telehealth antimicrobial stewardship reduced broad-spectrum antibiotic use, including use of imipenem (from 83 to 31 DOT, P < 0.001), levofloxacin (from 123 to 99 DOT, P < 0.001), and vancomycin (from 104 to 85 DOT, P < 0.001), compared to utilization during the baseline period; mean (SD) length of stay also decreased (from 4.6 [2.8] days to 4.2 [2.6] days, P = 0.02). After nonrenewal of telehealth stewardship, vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam usage returned to or exceeded baseline levels. CONCLUSION The partnership between an academic medical center and a small community hospital improved antimicrobial utilization and clinical outcomes. Successful telehealth antimicrobial stewardship models should be explored further as a means to provide optimal patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Barry C Fox
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stuart Burke
- Department of Pharmacy, UW Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Dave Grinder
- Department of Pharmacy, Monroe Clinic, Monroe, WI, USA
| | - Warren E Rose
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alexander J Lepak
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David R Andes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
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18
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Vento TJ, Veillette JJ, Gelman SS, Adams A, Jones P, Repko K, Stenehjem EA. Implementation of an Infectious Diseases Telehealth Consultation and Antibiotic Stewardship Program for 16 Small Community Hospitals. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab168. [PMID: 34141816 PMCID: PMC8205263 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth improves access to infectious diseases (ID) and antibiotic stewardship (AS) services in small community hospitals (SCHs), but the optimal model has not been defined. We describe implementation and impact of an integrated ID telehealth (IDt) service for 16 SCHs in the Intermountain Healthcare system. METHODS The Intermountain IDt service included a 24-hour advice line, eConsults, telemedicine consultations (TCs), daily AS surveillance, long-term AS program (ASP) support by an IDt pharmacist, and a monthly telementoring webinar. We evaluated program measures from November 2016 through April 2018. RESULTS A total of 2487 IDt physician interactions with SCHs were recorded: 859 phone calls (35% of interactions), 761 eConsults (30%), and 867 TCs (35%). Of 1628 eConsults and TCs, 1400 (86%) were SCH provider requests, while 228 (14%) were IDt pharmacist generated. Six SCHs accounted for >95% of interactions. Median consultation times for each initial telehealth interaction type were 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 5-10) minutes for phone calls, 20 (IQR, 15-25) minutes for eConsults, and 50 (IQR, 35-60) minutes for TCs. Thirty-two percent of consults led to in-person ID clinic follow-up. Bacteremia was the most common reason for consultation (764/2487 [31%]) and Staphylococcus aureus the most common organism identified. ASPs were established at 16 facilities. Daily AS surveillance led to 2229 SCH pharmacist and 1305 IDt pharmacist recommendations. Eight projects were completed with IDt pharmacist support, leading to significant reductions in meropenem, vancomycin, and fluoroquinolone use. CONCLUSIONS An integrated IDt model led to collaborative ID/ASP interventions and improvements in antibiotic use at 16 SCHs. These findings provide insight into clinical and logistical considerations for IDt program implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd J Vento
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Intermountain Healthcare TeleHealth Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - John J Veillette
- Intermountain Healthcare TeleHealth Services, Murray, Utah, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Stephanie S Gelman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Intermountain Healthcare TeleHealth Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Angie Adams
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Peter Jones
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Katherine Repko
- Intermountain Healthcare TeleHealth Services, Murray, Utah, USA
| | - Edward A Stenehjem
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA
- Office of Patient Experience, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Opportunities and challenges in improving antimicrobial use during the era of telehealth expansion: A narrative review. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 1:e26. [PMID: 36168461 PMCID: PMC9495641 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2021.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Efforts to improve antimicrobial prescribing are occurring within a changing healthcare landscape, which includes the expanded use of telehealth technology. The wider adoption of telehealth presents both challenges and opportunities for promoting antimicrobial stewardship. Telehealth provides 2 avenues for remote infectious disease (ID) specialists to improve inpatient antimicrobial prescribing: telehealth-supported antimicrobial stewardship and tele-ID consultations. Those 2 activities can work separately or synergistically. Studies on telehealth-supported antimicrobial stewardship have reported a reduction in inpatient antimicrobial prescribing, cost savings related to less antimicrobial use, a decrease in Clostridioides difficile infections, and improved antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for common organisms. Tele-ID consultation is associated with fewer hospital transfers, a shorter length of hospital stay, and decreased mortality. The implementation of these activities can be flexible depending on local needs and available resources, but several barriers may be encountered. Opportunities also exist to improve antimicrobial use in outpatient settings. Telehealth provides a more rapid mechanism for conducting outpatient ID consultations, and increasing use of telehealth for routine and urgent outpatient visits present new challenges for antimicrobial stewardship. In primary care, urgent care, and emergency care settings, unnecessary antimicrobial use for viral acute respiratory tract infections is common during telehealth encounters, as is the case for fact-to-face encounters. For some diagnoses, such as otitis media and pharyngitis, antimicrobials are further overprescribed via telehealth. Evidence is still lacking on the optimal stewardship strategies to improve antimicrobial prescribing during telehealth encounters in ambulatory care, but conventional outpatient stewardship strategies are likely transferable. Further work is warranted to fill this knowledge gap.
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Stover KR, Chahine EB, Cluck D, Green S, Chastain DB, Childress D, Faulkner-Fennell C, Lusardi K, McGee EU, Turner M, Bookstaver PB, Bland CM. A Baker's Dozen of Top Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Publications in 2019. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa402. [PMID: 33134408 PMCID: PMC7585323 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Staying current on literature related to antimicrobial stewardship can be challenging given the ever-increasing number of published articles. The Southeastern Research Group Endeavor (SERGE-45) identified antimicrobial stewardship–related peer-reviewed literature that detailed an actionable intervention for 2019. The top 13 publications were selected using a modified Delphi technique. These manuscripts were reviewed to highlight the actionable intervention used by antimicrobial stewardship programs to provide key stewardship literature for teaching and training and to identify potential intervention opportunities within one’s institution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla R Stover
- Pharmacy Practice, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Elias B Chahine
- Pharmacy Practice, Palm Beach Atlantic University Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
| | - David Cluck
- Pharmacy Practice, East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah Green
- Novant Health, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Carmen Faulkner-Fennell
- Prisma Health-Upstate, Greenville, South Carolina, USA.,USC School of Medicine-Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
| | - Katherine Lusardi
- Antimicrobial Stewardship, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Edoabasi U McGee
- Pharmacy Practice, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy, Suwanee, Georgia, USA
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Hron JD, Parsons CR, Williams LA, Harper MB, Bourgeois FC. Rapid Implementation of an Inpatient Telehealth Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Appl Clin Inform 2020; 11:452-459. [PMID: 32610350 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relaxation of laws and regulations around privacy and billing during the COVID-19 pandemic provide expanded opportunities to use telehealth to provide patient care at a distance. Many health systems have transitioned to providing outpatient care via telehealth; however, there is an opportunity to utilize telehealth for inpatients to promote physical distancing. OBJECTIVE This article evaluates the use of a rapidly implemented, secure inpatient telehealth program. METHODS We assembled a multidisciplinary team to rapidly design, implement, and iteratively improve an inpatient telehealth quality improvement initiative using an existing videoconferencing system at our academic medical center. We assigned each hospital bed space a unique meeting link and updated the meeting password for each new patient. Patients and families were encouraged to use their own mobile devices to join meetings when possible. RESULTS Within 7 weeks of go-live, we hosted 1,820 inpatient telehealth sessions (13.3 sessions per 100 bedded days). We logged 104,647 minutes of inpatient telehealth time with a median session duration of 22 minutes (range 1-1,961). There were 5,288 participant devices used with a mean of 3 devices per telehealth session (range 2-22). Clinicians found they were able to build rapport and perform a reasonable physical exam. CONCLUSION We successfully implemented and scaled a secure inpatient telehealth program using an existing videoconferencing system in less than 1 week. Our implementation provided an intuitive naming convention for providers and capitalized on the broad availability of smartphones and tablets. Initial comments from clinicians suggest the system was useful; however, further work is needed to streamline initial setup for patients and families as well as care coordination to support clinician communication and workflows. Numerous use cases identified suggest a role for inpatient telehealth will remain after the COVID-19 crisis underscoring the importance of lasting regulatory reform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Hron
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Chase R Parsons
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Lee Ann Williams
- Patient Care Operations, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Marvin B Harper
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Fabienne C Bourgeois
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Effects of a Remote Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Antimicrobial Use in a Regional Hospital System. PHARMACY 2020; 8:pharmacy8010041. [PMID: 32188001 PMCID: PMC7151691 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy8010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are well established at most large medical centers, small or rural facilities often do not have the same resources; therefore, different methods must be developed to start or expand ASPs for these hospitals. The purpose of this quality improvement study was to describe the implementation of a pharmacist-led remote ASP and assess the effect on antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial use in days of therapy per 1000 patient days (DOT/1000 PD) was compared between the six months before and after remote ASP implementation. Changes in system-wide, facility-specific, and target antimicrobial use were evaluated. Pharmacist interventions, acceptance rates, and number of times infectious disease (ID) physician assistance was sought were also tracked. System-wide antimicrobial use was 4.6% less in the post-implementation time period than in the pre-implementation time period, with vancomycin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and fluoroquinolones having the greatest reductions in use. Ninety-one percent of interventions made during the post-implementation period were accepted. ID physician review was requested 38 times, and direct ID physician intervention was required six times. Remote ASPs delivered from a central facility to serve a larger system may reduce antimicrobial use, especially against targeted agents, with minimal increase in ID physician workload.
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