Presentation Information

Antibiotic Stewardship: A Quality Improvement Story

• Speaker: Tinisha Lambeth , DNP, RN, NNP-BC
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME

Abstract:

Early- and late-onset sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. However, prolonged antibiotic administration alters the microbiome and increases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and death in very low birth weight infants and in late preterm and term infants adverse effects include ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, increased bacterial resistance, and unnecessary costs. Empiric antibiotic therapy for early-onset sepsis and routine Vancomycin usage for late-onset sepsis was a common practice for neonates at this neonatal intensive care unit. Also, antibiotic stewardship in early- and late-onset sepsis management in the NICU posed unique challenges due to variability in provider practices. In this presentation the Model for Improvement quality improvement methodology and three quality improvement projects with a global aim to reduce antibiotic usage will be presented.