A randomized controlled trial of point-of-care evidence to improve the antibiotic prescribing practices for otitis media in children.
BACKGROUND
Prescribing practices for otitis media are not consistent with current evidence-based recommendations.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether point-of-care evidence delivery regarding the use and duration of antibiotics for otitis media decreases the duration of therapy from 10 days and decreases the frequency of prescriptions written.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Primary care pediatric clinic affiliated with university training program. Intervention. A point-of-care evidence-based message system presenting real time evidence to providers based on their prescribing practice for otitis media.


METHODS
Proportion of prescriptions for otitis media that were for <10 days and frequency with which antibiotics were prescribed.


RESULTS
Intervention providers had a 34% greater reduction in the proportion of time they prescribed antibiotics for <10 days. Intervention providers were less likely to prescribe antibiotics than were control providers.


CONCLUSIONS
A point-of-care information system integrated into outpatient pediatric care can significantly influence provider behavior for a common condition.
Christakis
D A
DA
Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. dachris@u.washington.edu
Zimmerman
F J
FJ
Wright
J A
JA
Garrison
M M
MM
Rivara
F P
FP
Davis
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010372:Pediatrics; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents