Applying Quality Improvement Methodology to Standardize Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis and Management throughout a Healthcare System.

Background: Pediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs) require early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to avoid short- and long-term morbidity. Baseline data from 13,000 children across a regional health system demonstrated wide variation in UTI management, including antibiotic choice, duration, and dosing. In 2019, the local antibiotic stewardship team recommended cephalexin as the ideal first-line UTI treatment due to its effectiveness, narrow spectrum, low cost, and palatability. This project aimed to improve first-line prescription of cephalexin as an empiric antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated UTIs from 34% to 75% in children 60 days to 18 years of age presenting to any site within the healthcare system within 6 months. Methods: A multidisciplinary team of key stakeholders reviewed baseline data and developed three key drivers. These included a standardized UTI pathway, electronic health record enhancements, and provider education. Interventions were supported by a literature review and implemented via Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles with data monitored bimonthly. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients prescribed cephalexin for presumed UTI over the total number of presumed UTI diagnoses treated with empiric antibiotics throughout the healthcare system. The balancing measure included 14-day return visits for a UTI-related diagnosis across the system. Results: After the release of the updated UTI pathway, first-line cephalexin prescribing for UTI improved from 34% to 66%. There was no change in 14-day revisits for UTI. Conclusions: Standardizing the diagnosis and management of UTIs across the spectrum of coordinated care led to improved system-wide adherence to local antibiotic stewardship guidelines for empiric UTI treatment.

Retrospective Comparison of Cefdinir, Cephalexin, and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim in the Treatment of Outpatient Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections.

This retrospective single-center study included children aged 2 months to 18 years who were prescribed an oral antibiotic for microbiologically confirmed urinary tract infection (UTI). The primary outcomes were re-encounter to the hospital, emergency department, or urgent care within 30 days and modification of the antibiotic regimen within 14 days. Development of Clostridioides difficile (C difficile) infection or new allergic reaction to the antibiotic prescribed was the secondary outcome. The sample included 2685 children. Rates of re-encounter were similar regardless of the initial antibiotic prescribed (P = .88), and patients who received cefdinir had a lower rate of medication changes (5%) compared with both cephalexin (14%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (15%) (P ≤ .001). The most common reason for medication change was susceptibility interpretation. Given its low side-effect profile and narrow spectrum compared with the alternatives, cephalexin appears to be a reasonable choice as first-line therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated pediatric UTI.

Using Electronic Health Record Tools to Decrease Antibiotic Exposure in Infant Sepsis Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Our internal infant sepsis evaluation clinical practice guideline recommends infants with negative culture results who are undergoing sepsis evaluation receive antibiotics until culture results are negative for a maximum of 36 hours. The aims of our project were to decrease the percentage of patients who received >30 hours of administered antibiotic doses (recognizing effective concentrations last until hour 36) and increase 36-hour phrase documentation by using clinical decision support tools. METHODS: We used quality improvement methodology to study infants aged ≤60 days with negative culture results. The outcome measures were the percentage of patients who received >30 hours of administered antibiotic doses, the percentage of history and physical (H&P) notes that included a statement of the anticipated 36-hour antibiotic discontinuation time (36-hour phrase), and length of stay. The process measure was the use of an illness-specific H&P template or an influencer smartphrase. Balancing measures were readmissions for positive culture results. Interventions included education, an illness-specific H&P template, a criteria-based rule to default to this H&P template, and editing influencer smartphrases. RESULTS: Over 33 months, 311 patients were included. Percentage of patients who received >30 hours of administered antibiotic doses decreased from 75.6% to 62%. Percentage of H&P notes documenting the 36-hour phrase increased from 4.9% to 75.6%. Illness-specific H&P template and influencer smartphrase usage increased to a mean of 51.5%; length of stay did not change. No readmissions for positive culture results were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical decision support techniques and educational interventions popularized the "36-hour phrase" and were associated with a reduction in the antibiotic exposure in infants with negative culture results hospitalized for sepsis evaluation.

Extended Infusion of Beta-Lactams Is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The pharmacokinetics of beta-lactam antibiotics favor administration via an extended infusion. Although literature supporting extended infusion beta-lactams exists in adults, few data are available to guide the practice in pediatrics. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between extended and standard infusions in children. METHODS: This retrospective chart analysis included hospitalized patients 0 to 18 years old who received at least 72 hours of cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, or meropenem between October 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019. Clinical outcomes of care included hospital length of stay, readmission within 30 days, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 551 patients (258 extended infusion, 293 standard infusion) met criteria for evaluation. Clinical outcomes among the entire population were similar. A subanalysis of select populations demonstrated decreased mortality in critical care patients (2.1% vs 19.6%, p = 0.006) and decreased 30-day readmission rates in bone marrow transplant patients (0% vs 50%, p = 0.012) who received the extended infusion compared with a standard infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes were similar between extended and standard infusions in children. Subgroup analyses suggest a possible mortality benefit in the critically ill and decreased readmission rate in bone marrow transplant patients.

Impact of American Academy of Pediatrics Palivizumab Guidance for Children ≥29 and <35 Weeks of Gestational Age.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of the American Academy of Pediatrics revised recommendations (2014) for palivizumab prophylaxis on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) admissions and severity of illness among children ≥29 weeks and <35 weeks of gestational age. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated patients hospitalized with RSV infection from October 1, 2012, through April 30, 2017. RSV hospitalizations, community RSV activity, duration of hospitalization, disease severity, and mortality were reviewed. Data were compared before and after implementation of the guideline changes. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were born at ≥29 weeks and <35 weeks of gestational age and hospitalized within the first year of life during the evaluation period. Gestational age, birth weight, age at diagnosis, and sex remained constant over the seasons evaluated. RSV hospitalizations and activity in the community were unchanged over 5 years. Duration of hospitalization increased. There was no difference in need for intensive care, supplemental oxygen, or mechanical ventilation or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines regarding eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis in older infants born preterm did not increase RSV hospitalizations or disease severity among children hospitalized for RSV at our hospital. Our data support continued adherence to the guidelines.