Early switching of antibiotic therapy from intravenous to oral using a combination of education, pocket-sized cards and switch advice: A practical intervention resulting in reduced length of hospital stay

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
A M A MouwenJ E Nagtegaal

Abstract

To assess the effectiveness of a combined intervention on the timing and rate of switching from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotic therapy. The study used a historically-controlled prospective intervention design. Interventions consisted of educating physicians, handing out pocket-sized cards and providing switch advice in the electronic patient record (EPR). All patients hospitalized at the surgery department who were treated with IV antibiotics for at least 24 h and who fulfilled the switch criteria within 72 h of IV treatment were included. Outcomes before and during the intervention were compared. An early IV to oral switch took place in 35.4% (35/99) of the antibiotic courses in the baseline period and in 67.7% (42/62) of the antibiotic courses in the intervention period (odds ratio [OR] 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96-7.53). Duration of IV therapy was significantly reduced from 5 to 3 days (P<0.01). Length of hospitalization was reduced from 6 to 5 days (P<0.05). The interventions were effective in promoting an early IV to oral antibiotic switch by shortening the length of IV therapy and hospital stay.

Citations

Jan 16, 2021·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Sharmila KhumraRohan A Elliott

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