Antimicrobial stewardship in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections

Abstract

Research on treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) has shown improved patient outcomes with effective pharmaceutic prescribing. Antimicrobial stewardship programs can reduce consequences of broad-spectrum antimicrobial administration in SSTI treatment. Prospective and historic control data were collected during two 7-month periods. Intervention consisted of implementing a new SSTI evidence-based treatment algorithm and provider education, including calls and medical record notes targeted at physicians. Of 412 patients, 76 and 86 were found eligible from the historic and intervention groups, respectively. The intervention group had a higher prevalence of appropriate antibiotic usage (33% vs 19%, respectively; P = .04). There was a lower median number of days from intravenous antibiotic therapy to oral conversion (3 vs 5; P < .0001) and a lower median number of days of antipseudomonal antibiotic use (3 vs 5; P = .03) in the intervention group, respectively. The intervention group also had fewer documented SSTI treatment complications (1% vs 8%, respectively; P = .04). The positive outcomes outlined demonstrate potential impacts made from the use of multidisciplinary antibiotic stewardship initiatives. Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents under the direction of an antimicrobial stewardship program can lead to improved outcomes for patients being treated for SSTIs.