title: Impact of an electronic antibiotic advice and approval system on antibiotic prescribing in an Australian teaching hospital.
abstract: The impact of a computer-based infectious diseases electronic antibiotic advice and approval system ("IDEA(3)S") was assessed as an alternative to a labour-intensive, phone-based approval system. IDEA(3)S-based approvals replaced 48% of all approvals for the most frequently requested antimicrobial agents (ceftriaxone/cefotaxime, vancomycin) and were associated with stable overall rates of antimicrobial use. Antibiotic prescribing for community-acquired pneumonia was 76% concordant with IDEA(3)S recommendations, and clinical acceptance of IDEA(3)S was excellent. Successful implementation required a coordinated, evidence-based approach between clinicians, pharmacists and hospital administration, together with ongoing staff education and feedback of results. IDEA(3)S is a useful new adjunct to routine clinician consultation to support appropriate antibiotic prescribing for a number of common indications in hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Lindsay.Grayson@austin.org.au
authors.forename: M Lindsay
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Grayson
authors.forename: Sharmila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melvani
authors.forename: Sue W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kirsa
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Korman
authors.forename: M Kent
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D004363:Drug Utilization; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents