A randomized controlled trial of point-of-care evidence to improve the antibiotic prescribing practices for otitis media in children.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Prescribing practices for otitis media are not consistent with current evidence-based recommendations.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether point-of-care evidence delivery regarding the use and duration of antibiotics for otitis media decreases the duration of therapy from 10 days and decreases the frequency of prescriptions written.

DESIGN:

Randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING:

Primary care pediatric clinic affiliated with university training program. Intervention. A point-of-care evidence-based message system presenting real time evidence to providers based on their prescribing practice for otitis media.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Proportion of prescriptions for otitis media that were for <10 days and frequency with which antibiotics were prescribed.

RESULTS:

Intervention providers had a 34% greater reduction in the proportion of time they prescribed antibiotics for <10 days. Intervention providers were less likely to prescribe antibiotics than were control providers.

CONCLUSIONS:

A point-of-care information system integrated into outpatient pediatric care can significantly influence provider behavior for a common condition.

• Authors: D A Christakis, F J Zimmerman, J A Wright, M M Garrison, F P Rivara, R L Davis
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 107 Issue 2 Pg. E15 (Feb 2001) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 11158489 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Decision Support Systems, Clinical
• Drug Prescriptions (statistics & numerical data)
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Otitis Media (drug therapy)
• Pediatrics
• Point-of-Care Systems
• Practice Patterns, Physicians' (statistics & numerical data)