BMJ  2005;331 (24 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7518.0-c

Algorithm reduces antimicrobial prescriptions in urinary infections

A multifaceted intervention targeted at doctors and nurses can reduce the number of prescriptions for antimicrobials for urinary tract infections in the residents of nursing homes. Loeb and colleagues (p 669) did a cluster randomised trial of more than 4000 residents in 12 North American nursing homes. A diagnostic and treatment algorithm successfully reduced the rate of antimicrobial use for suspected urinary tract infection. The intervention had no effect on the overall rate of prescribing of antimicrobials for other infections in the nursing homes.

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Relevant Article

Effect of a multifaceted intervention on number of antimicrobial prescriptions for suspected urinary tract infections in residents of nursing homes: cluster randomised controlled trial

Mark Loeb, Kevin Brazil, Lynne Lohfeld, Allison McGeer, Andrew Simor, Kurt Stevenson, Dick Zoutman, Stephanie Smith, Xiwu Liu, and Stephen D Walter
BMJ 2005 331: 669. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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