The duration of antibiotics prescribed at discharge for nonpurulent cellulitis was shortened from 14 days to ≤7 days at a children's hospital, without an increase in readmissions for treatment failure.
There is evidence that shorter courses of antibiotics (≤7 days) adequately treat uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Using quality improvement methods, investigators at a children's hospital sought to shorten the duration of prescribed antibiotics at discharge for patients with these infections.
Interventions included an educational program for providers, changing the electronic order defaults to 7 days from 14 days, and defining complicated SSTIs (those in children with immunodeficiency, fasciitis, osteomyelitis, animal or human bites, or burns; surgical site infections; and head or neck infections).
Over a 23-month period, 641 children aged 91 days to 18 years were admitted for uncomplicated SSTIs. The median hospital sta…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)