Using information technology to reduce the inappropriate use of surgical prophylactic antibiotic

Despite implementation of practical guidelines, continuing education programs in our hospital, the percentage of inappropriate prophylactic antibiotic usage remains high. The aim of this study was to investigate whether information technology can reduce the misuse of surgical prophylactic antibiotic. We started physician continuing education programs in January 2005 and initiated feedback system in July 2005. The computerized reminder system was implemented in April 2006. Relevant data about the surgical prophylactic antibiotic usage were collected and was separated into three groups. Group 1 consisted of data from January 2005 to June 2005, while group 2 and group 3 consisted of data from July 2005 to March 2006 and April 2006 to December 2006, respectively. The percentage of no prophylactic antibiotic in clean procedures and the duration of prophylactic antibiotic in clean-contaminated procedures were recorded and analyzed. Furthermore, the surgical wound infection rates were also collected. In clean procedures, the percentage of no prophylactic antibiotic after surgery decreased in the long run. In parotidectomy, submandibular gland surgery and thyroidectomy patients, the percentage even reached 100% at the end of this study. In clean-contaminated procedures, the duration of prophylactic antibiotic after surgery was also reduced except in laryngectomized patients at the end of this study. Information technology such as feedback and reminder systems is an effective method to reduce inappropriate usage of surgical prophylactic antibiotic.