Changes in antibiotic use following implementation of a telehealth stewardship pilot program

• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2019.128
• Publication Date: 2019-06-07T14:13:55Z
• Authors: Brigid M. Wilson; Richard E. Banks; Christopher J. Cr...; Emma Ide; Roberto A. Viau; Nadim G. El Chakh...; Yvonne R. Jones; Jason B. Cherry; Brett A. Anderson; Robin L. P. Jump
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Critical Care; Hospitals, Veterans; Pilot Projects; Long-Term Care; Telemedicine; Anti-Bacterial Agents; 3. Good health; Antimicrobial Stewardship; 03 medical and health sciences; Humans; Prospective Studies

AbstractStarting in 2016, we initiated a pilot tele-antibiotic stewardship program at 2 rural Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs). Antibiotic days of therapy decreased significantly (P < .05) in the acute and long-term care units at both intervention sites, suggesting that tele-stewardship can effectively support antibiotic stewardship practices in rural VAMCs.