Phenobarbital as adjunct had clinically nonsignificant shorter inpatient but significant overall longer therapy time as compared with clonidine.

There was no statistically significant difference in readmission rates; however, several medication errors were prevented, and a large percentage of patients expressed an improved understanding of their medications.

(ASP) have been associated with improvements in antibiotic utilization and patient outcomes; however, ASP studies originating from nonfreestanding children's hospitals are lacking. In this study, we present the implementation and impact of a multidisciplinary ASP that employs a collaborative physician and pharmacist driven thrice-weekly prospective audit-with-feedback approach at a non-freestanding children's hospital. METHODS Implementation was assessed via descriptive design. Pediatric inpatients maintained on predefined targeted antibiotics of interest for 48 to 72 hours preceding ASP review were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes evaluated included ASP recommendation and provider acceptance rates (overall and by antibiotic and provider specialty). Impact was examined using an interrupted time series design (with a preimplementation period of August 1, 2013, to July 31, 2014 and postimplementation period of December 1, 2014 to May 31, 2016). Eligibility included all targeted antibiotic usage among pediatric inpatients, with a control group comprising those who received antibiotics requiring preauthorization. Outcomes analyzed included days of antibiotic therapy per 1000 patient days (DOT/1000 PD) and 30-day hospital readmission rates over time. RESULTS Postimplementation, 882 antibiotic reviews were performed on 637 patients, with 327 recommendations generated. Reviews of patients maintained on vancomycin and clindamycin, and of those under care of intensivist and hospitalist physicians, were most likely to prompt recommendations. A mean targeted antibiotic usage decrease of 24.8 DOT/1000 PD (95% confidence interval, −62 to 14) was observed postimplementation, with no change in 30-day readmissions (0.64% during both periods). CONCLUSIONS ASP implementation at a non-freestanding children's hospital was feasible and allowed for identification of areas for targeted quality improvement, while demonstrating modest antibiotic use reduction without adversely impacting patient care. ABBREVIATIONS ASPs, antimicrobial stewardship programs; DOT/1000 PD, days of antibiotic therapy per 1000 patient days KEYWORDS antimicrobial stewardship; non-freestanding hospital

PN ingredient shortages prompted changes in the decision-making process for the prescription of PN. Guidelines for ordering PN were successfully implemented and allowed for the appropriate selection of qualified patients and the management of PN ingredient shortages.

OBJECTIVES: Identify diagnoses with the highest likelihood of prompting antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) recommendations and lowest probability of recommendation acceptance, investigate the impact of provider years in practice on recommendation receipt and acceptance, and simultaneously assess the influence of patient and provider-level variables associated with recommendations within a nonfreestanding children’s hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of antibiotic courses reviewed by the ASP staff from December 1, 2014 to November 30, 2016. Poisson regression was used to detect associations between diagnoses, provider years in practice, and the probability of recommendation receipt and acceptance. Multivariable logistic regression was used to simultaneously examine the influence of patient and provider-level characteristics on recommendation probability. RESULTS: A total of 938 inpatient encounters and 1170 antibiotic courses were included. Diagnoses were associated with provider receipt (P < .001) and acceptance (P < .001) of recommendations, with ear, nose, and throat and/or sinopulmonary diagnoses most likely to prompt recommendations (56%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 48–64) and recommendations for neonatal and/or infant diagnoses accepted least often (67%; 95% CI, 58–76). No associations were initially found between provider experience and recommendation receipt or acceptance, although multivariable analysis revealed a trend between increasing years in practice and recommendation likelihood (P = .001). Vancomycin usage (64%; 95% CI, 56–72) and ear, nose, and throat and/or sinopulmonary diagnoses (56%; 95% CI, 47–65) had the highest probability of a recommendation. Sensitivity analyses revealed that use of diagnosis-related clinical practice guidelines decreased recommendations and increased acceptance rates, especially for the surgery diagnosis category. CONCLUSIONS: High-yield targets for ASP activities at our nonfreestanding children’s hospital were identified. Clinical practice guidelines have the potential to decrease ASP workload, and their development should be particularly encouraged for ASPs with limited resources.