title: Computerized antimicrobial decision support for hospitalized patients with a bloodstream infection.
abstract: We developed a computerized antimicrobial decision support program founded on our local bacterial susceptibility data. In a retrospective analysis of patients with a bloodstream infection, we compared the actual antimicrobials prescribed to the antimicrobials recommended by the program. We found the computer-guided therapy to be clinically and statistically more effective than the therapy initiated by the physicians. We conclude that computerized decision support can improve the targeting of empiric antimicrobial therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, USA.
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mullett
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Connie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Arif R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sarwari
authors.forename: Rashida A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Khakoo
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents