Relative reductions of 33 percent in rate of blood cultures, 13 percent in rate of broad-spectrum antibiotic use seen postimplementation<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
THURSDAY, May 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) — In the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), multidisciplinary diagnostic stewardship interventions can reduce blood culture and antibiotic use, according to a study published online May 2 in JAMA Pediatrics<\/em>.<\/p>\n Charlotte Z. Woods-Hill, M.D., from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues examined the association of a 14-site multidisciplinary PICU blood culture collaborative with culture rate, antibiotic use, and patient outcomes in a prospective quality improvement (QI) study. The QI program focused on blood culture practices in the PICU.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the blood culture rate was 149.4 per 1,000 patient-days\/month preimplementation and 100.5 per 1,000 patient-days\/month postimplementation across the 14 PICUs, representing a relative reduction of 33 percent. The rate of broad-spectrum antibiotic use decreased from 506 to 440 days per 1,000 patient-days\/month (13 percent relative reduction) comparing the periods before and after implementation. The rate of broad-spectrum antibiotic initiation decreased from 58.1 to 53.6 initiations\/1,000 patient-days\/month, which was an 8 percent relative reduction. In addition, there was a 36 percent relative reduction in the rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection, from 1.8 to 1.1 per 1,000 central venous line days\/month. Before and after implementation, mortality, length of stay, readmission, sepsis, and severe sepsis\/septic shock were similar.<\/p>\n “Our study confirms that diagnostic stewardship is a promising strategy to augment antimicrobial stewardship programs and reduce antibiotic overuse,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n