Evidence-Based Pilot for Improved Antibiotic Prescribing
Abstract
The nature and burden of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in primary care settings, continues to pose great threats to public health. This high prevalence leads to an increase of antimicrobial resistant infections, which calls for more Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) educational strategies. The practice’s problem was identified as high rates of antibiotic prescribing for acute RTIs, without specific indications for antibiotic treatment. This project was implemented with multi-faceted approaches by identifying strategies to improve provider-patient communication; increasing providers’ knowledge and awareness of current treatment guidelines, and disseminating educational information to patients about the importance of appropriate antibiotic treatment. These educational strategies are the core principles in addressing quality care concerns within this practice, which aimed to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in eight weeks.
This study used a descriptive observational method where the pre- and post-interventional design was used to measure the effectiveness of EBP educational information through the delayed antibiotic prescribing strategy. The findings supported the prominence of delayed antibiotic strategy for self-limiting RTIs recommended by the EBP Clinical Guidelines No. 69, entitled “Respiratory Tract Infections – Antibiotic Prescribing” developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
These findings suggested that there was a change in knowledge and awareness in prescribing practices through the combined-educational interventions for providers and patients in delaying the antibiotic treatment. This change in knowledge and awareness of antibiotic indications demonstrated that education affects providers’ awareness about their prescribing practices, as evident by antibiotic prescribing rates dropped immediately post-intervention stage.
Description
This paper is submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.| Grantor | Advisor(s) | Level | Year | Chamberlain University | Rass, Juanita | DNP | 2017 |
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