Project Title
Date of Award
Summer 2021
Document Type
Final DNP Paper
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Faculty Chair
Dr. Lori McGrath
Preceptor
Jason Junkins, MD
Abstract
Antibiotics are often prescribed for respiratory infections. These infections often have a viral rather than a bacterial source. Overuse of antibiotics is associated with increased potential for adverse effects, increased healthcare costs, and increasing antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this DNP project was to determine if implementing an antibiotic stewardship program at an urgent care clinic would decrease the number of antibiotic prescriptions written for acute respiratory tract infections. An educational session consisting of didactic and PowerPoint presentations was provided to each provider at the urgent care clinic. Medical records were reviewed for four weeks after completion of the session and compared to the same four-week period of the previous year. The data extracted from the review was analyzed for changes comparing the pre-implementation and post-implementation phases. Almost 70% of patients diagnosed with an acute respiratory tract infection received a prescription for an antibiotic. Compared to physicians, nurse practitioners were less likely to prescribe antibiotics. The use of molecular rapid tests significantly reduced the number of antibiotics prescribed. There was also an overall decrease in the number of antibiotics prescribed in the post-implementation phase compared to the pre-implementation phase. These findings support the idea that supplying healthcare providers with up-to-date education regarding antibiotic stewardship can reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
Recommended Citation
Gramling, James, "Implementing an Antibiotic Stewardship Education Program to Decrease Antibiotic Prescriptions in an Urgent Care Clinic" (2021). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 26.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/26