Implementation of Electronic Clinical Decision Support Tools for Antibiotic Stewardship in Pediatric Appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of clinical decision support (CDS) tools to promote antibiotic stewardship in pediatric appendicitis remains poorly understood. Here, we developed an electronic order panel (OP) to assist with decreased utilization of extended spectrum antibiotics. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients (≤18 years) at a single institution from May 2018 to October 2019 treated with ≥1 dose of preferred (narrow) or nonpreferred (broad-spectrum) antibiotics was performed, and they were categorized as pre- (PIC) or postimplementation cohorts (PISC). RESULTS: Of 234 encounters, 170 (73%) and 107 (46%) received preferred and nonpreferred antibiotics, respectively. Postimplementation cohort encounters had a sustained 50% increase in preferred antibiotic use compared to PIC (92% vs 42%, P = .014). Order panel utilization accounted for 31% of overall encounters and 44% of PISC encounters. CONCLUSION: Despite sustained improvement in antibiotic stewardship, OP utilization remains low. The use of CDS tools may not be a good process measure for quality improvement.

Routine use of a SILASTIC spring-loaded silo for infants with gastroschisis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies have suggested that routine use of a preformed silo for infants with gastroschisis may be associated with improved outcomes. We performed a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial to test this hypothesis. METHODS: Eligible infants were randomized to (1) routine bedside placement of a preformed Silastic spring-loaded silo, with gradual reduction and elective abdominal wall closure, or (2) primary closure. RESULTS: There were 27 infants in each group. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to age, weight, sex, Apgar scores, prenatal diagnosis, or mode of delivery. The total number of days on the ventilator was lower in the spring-loaded silo group, although it did not reach statistical significance (3.2 vs 5.3, P = .07). There was no significant difference between groups with respect to length of time on total parenteral nutrition, length of stay, or incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. CONCLUSION: Routine use of a preformed silo was associated with similar outcomes to primary closure for infants with gastroschisis but with a strong trend toward fewer days on the ventilator. Use of a preformed silo has the advantage of permitting definitive abdominal wall closure in a more elective setting.