Summary
Objective: To develop and implement a clinical decision support (CDS) tool to improve antibiotic
prescribing in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and to evaluate user acceptance
of the CDS tool.
Methods: Following sociotechnical analysis of NICU prescribing processes, a CDS tool for empiric
and targeted antimicrobial therapy for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was
developed and incorporated into a commercial electronic health record (EHR) in two
NICUs. User logs were reviewed and NICU prescribers were surveyed for their perceptions
of the CDS tool.
Results: The CDS tool aggregated selected laboratory results, including culture results, to
make treatment recommendations for common clinical scenarios. From July 2010 to May
2012, 1,303 CDS activations for 452 patients occurred representing 22% of patients
prescribed antibiotics during this period. While NICU clinicians viewed two culture
results per tool activation, prescribing recommendations were viewed during only 15%
of activations. Most (63%) survey respondents were aware of the CDS tool, but fewer
(37%) used it during their most recent NICU rotation. Respondents considered the most
useful features to be summarized culture results (43%) and antibiotic recommendations
(48%).
Discussion: During the study period, the CDS tool functionality was hindered by EHR upgrades,
implementation of a new laboratory information system, and changes to antimicrobial
testing methodologies. Loss of functionality may have reduced viewing antibiotic recommendations.
In contrast, viewing culture results was frequently performed, likely because this
feature was perceived as useful and functionality was preserved.
Conclusion: To improve CDS tool visibility and usefulness, we recommend early user and information
technology team involvement which would facilitate use and mitigate implementation
challenges.
Citation: Hum RS, Cato K, Sheehan B, Patel S, Duchon J, DeLaMora P, Ferng YH, Graham P, Vawdrey
DK, Perlman J, Larson E, Saiman L. Developing clinical decision support within a commercial
electronic health record system to improve antimicrobial prescribing in the neonatal
ICU. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 368–387 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-09-RA-0069
Keywords
Antimicrobial stewardship - clinical decision support - neonatal intensive care unit
- implementation