Researchers created behavioral “nudges” for clinicians, displaying poster-sized, signed clinician pledges to avoid inappropriate antibiotic prescription in examination rooms for 12 weeks. During that time, 945 adult patients had appointments in those rooms for acute respiratory infection, a condition for which antibiotics are often overprescribed.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
Before the study, rates of incorrect antibiotic prescription for both control and study rooms hovered around 43 percent. After the implementation of the posters, inappropriate prescription of antibiotics for ARIs fell to 33.7 percent in study rooms. In the control rooms, incorrect antibiotic prescription for ARIs rose to nearly 53 percent.
Researchers concluded a simple, low-cost intervention such as the poster tactic could have high levels of effectiveness in improving antimicrobial stewardship.
More Articles on Antibiotics:
MRSA More Likely for People Living Near Mega-Farms, Study Says
FDA Recalls Faulty Antimicrobial Hospital Safety Showers
Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics in ED Prevalent
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
