Breakpoints cover image

Breakpoints

#102 – Oh, the Places Stewardship Will Go! Best Practices for Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship and Transitions of Care

Aug 23, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Erica Stohs, an infectious diseases physician and policy advisor, Dr. Ryan Stevens, a pharmacist specializing in antimicrobial stewardship, and Jayme McRae, a clinical pharmacology consultant, dive into the nuances of antibiotic stewardship. They share best practices for managing outpatient antibiotic use, the importance of clear communication during patient transitions, and innovative strategies like the 'viral RX pad.' The trio also addresses challenges like diagnosing infections in elderly patients and the role of pharmacists in enhancing care.
01:10:10

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Effective communication and interventions during transitions of care are crucial for optimizing antibiotic therapy upon patient discharge.
  • Education on differentiating UTIs is vital in outpatient settings to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions stemming from misdiagnosis.

Deep dives

Antibiotic Stewardship in Transitions of Care

Antimicrobial stewardship during transitions of care is crucial, particularly for patients discharged on antibiotics. Many patients, estimated at one in eight, receive antibiotics during hospital discharge, often leading to antibiotic overuse such as prolonged durations or inappropriate drug choices. Effective communication between healthcare teams is essential to ensure patients are discharged with optimal therapy. Interventions such as pharmacist-led reviews at discharge and enhanced electronic health record (EHR) integration can significantly improve prescribing accuracy and outcomes.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app