Use of semiautomatic treatment advice to improve compliance with Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for treatment of intravascular catheter-related infection: a before-after study

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Oct 1;37(7):980-3. doi: 10.1086/378067. Epub 2003 Sep 10.

Abstract

In a large university hospital, the rate of noncompliance with the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for treatment of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was 44% during 52 consecutively observed episodes of CRBSI. To decrease noncompliance, the physicians who provided care to the next 46 patients with CRBSI received standardized treatment advice by electronic mail. This simple and not labor-intensive intervention decreased guideline noncompliance from 44% to 15% (P<.01).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catheterization, Central Venous
  • Catheters, Indwelling / microbiology*
  • Electronic Mail
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Guideline Adherence*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control
  • Physicians*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / therapy*