Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Our quality improvement project aims to analyze the appropriateness of timing and administration of first dose or “now” orders of antimicrobial therapy to improve clinical outcomes. We will identify areas of operational, educational, and procedural need for optimization. Our multidisciplinary team will then apply current guidelines and primary literature to improve “now” orders of antimicrobial therapy. Where needed we will produce new medical center procedures that will assist in the timing and administration of “now” orders of antimicrobial therapy, determine appropriate antibiotics to maintain and optimize as floor stock throughout the medical center, and we will provide education across disciplines.
Methods: A retrospective chart review will be conducted using patients treated at the Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA from 7/2017 to 7/2018 that were ordered “now” doses of antimicrobial therapy. Both automated dispensing cabinet data from the Emergency Department and medication administration record data will be used to capture the average timing initial order to start of antibiotic administration. A multidisciplinary committee was formed to perform root cause analysis to determine the issues with prolonged administration times. The team will suggest a comprehensive plan of action to administration for the improvement of antibiotic administration through both technological and procedural means. We will also take this opportunity to assess our empiric antibiotic use with regard to clinical guidelines and best practice.
Results: not applicable
Conclusion: not applicable
Andrew Milewski
– PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident, VA, Media, PA115 Views