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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Frequency and types of alerts for antibiotic prescribing in a neonatal ICU

Barbara Sheehan1, Amy Chused, Phillip L Graham

  • 1School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. bs584@columbia.edu

Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|July 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Managing antibiotics for neonatal sepsis is crucial due to high morbidity and mortality. Clinical alerts in neonatal intensive care units provide essential information at the point of care to support safe antibiotic prescribing.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Clinical Pharmacy
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Neonatal sepsis presents a significant threat, leading to severe morbidity and mortality.
  • Effective antibiotic management is critical for improving outcomes in neonates with sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate clinical alerts supporting antibiotic prescribing in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  • To ensure alert information aligns with current recommendations for neonatal antibiotic use.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from an alerts tracking database.
  • Description of alerts based on triggering orders and clinician recipients.
  • Assessment of information provided by alerts related to antibiotic prescribing.

Main Results:

  • Alerts most frequently associated with antibiotics deliver vital data on lab results and patient factors.
  • This critical information aids in preventing adverse drug events.
  • Alerts are directed to clinicians responsible for order entry, providing information at the point of care.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical alerts effectively deliver essential information for safe antibiotic prescribing in neonates.
  • The current alert system supports evidence-based practice at the point of care.
  • Optimizing alerts can further enhance the management of neonatal sepsis.

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