Digital Antimicrobial Stewardship Decision Support to Improve Antimicrobial Management

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Informatics

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance necessitates improved antibiotic prescribing practices.
• Effective antimicrobial stewardship programs require accessible, up-to-date information on local resistance patterns and treatment guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a digital application, Antibiogram+, to support clinicians in antibiotic ordering.
• To promote antimicrobial stewardship through evidence-based recommendations and local susceptibility data.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team designed and developed a web-based platform, Antibiogram+, using an agile process with clinician feedback.
• The platform was integrated into the electronic health record and hospital intranet.

Main Results:

• Antibiogram+ was accessed over 11,823 times in its first two years, with an average of 492 monthly views.
• Pediatric residents reported significantly higher confidence in antibiotic dosing when using Antibiogram+ compared to previous methods (58% vs. 15%, p<0.01).
• Confidence in antibiotic choice also improved, though not statistically significant (55% vs. 35%, p=0.26).

Conclusions:

• The successful development and consistent access of Antibiogram+ demonstrate its utility.
• The digital platform improved provider comfort and confidence in antibiotic management, supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts.