Shannon H Baumer-Mouradian, Lia C Bradley, Sadia T Ansari, Sri S Chinta, Michelle L Mitchell, Anika M Nelson, Laura E Marusinec, Kristine M Wake, Karie A Mantey, Ilanalee C Cabrera, Jessica A De Valk, Aaron P Hanson, Elizabeth M Witkowski, Glenn M Bushee, Jonathan S Ellison
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...
2024: Pediatric Quality & Safety