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A randomized, prospective study measuring outcomes after antibiotic therapy intervention by a multidisciplinary
J G Gums1, R W Yancey, C A Hamilton
1College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0217, USA.
Pharmacotherapy
|December 22, 1999
Summary
A multidisciplinary antimicrobial treatment team significantly reduced hospital length of stay and costs for patients receiving intravenous antibiotics. This intervention improved patient outcomes and provided substantial financial savings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Administration
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Suboptimal intravenous antibiotic use is common in hospitalized patients.
- Multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship teams can optimize antibiotic therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the financial and outcome benefits of a multidisciplinary antimicrobial treatment team.
- To assess the impact of pharmacist, clinical microbiologist, and infectious disease specialist collaboration.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized trial of 252 inpatients receiving suboptimal intravenous antibiotics.
- Intervention group received recommendations from the multidisciplinary team; control group did not.
- Data collected on length of stay, mortality, physician acceptance, and costs.
Main Results:
- Median length of stay reduced by 3.3 days in the intervention group (p=0.0001).
- Physician acceptance of team recommendations was 89%.
- Median patient charges reduced by $4404 and hospital costs by $2642 per intervention.
Conclusions:
- Multidisciplinary antimicrobial therapy teams improve outcomes for hospitalized patients on intravenous antimicrobials.
- These teams serve as valuable resources for physicians, enhancing antibiotic selection and reducing length of stay.
- Significant cost savings are achievable through multidisciplinary antimicrobial interventions.