Standardized order set for the management of infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially life-threatening infection that affects the inner lining of the heart, particularly the heart valves. Patients with preexisting heart conditions, damaged heart valves, or a history of intravenous drug use are at a higher risk of acquiring IE.

LOCAL PROBLEM: A rural acute care facility reported that 68.75% of patients who had a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection were diagnosed with IE. Review of medical records showed that 65% of patients with IE did not have antibiotic start/stop dates and 51% were discharged before the 6-week completion date.

METHODS: The quality-improvement project used a pretest and posttest design. An order set was created based on evidence-based guidelines to assist with the management of patients with IE. The order set included administering intravenous (IV) antibiotics for a minimum of 6 weeks for patients with IE and included a set of recommended weekly follow-up laboratory tests.

INTERVENTIONS: An order set with the standard of care and reminders in the electronic health records (EHRs) were implemented for the management of IE, including antibiotic start and stop dates and weekly follow-up labs.

RESULTS: After implementation, there was an improvement in the completion of IV antibiotics, documentation of start/stop dates for IV antibiotics, and completion of recommended laboratory tests.

CONCLUSIONS: An order set with the standard of care and reminders in the EHR reduced variations in care and improved patient outcomes by ensuring that all providers were following the same evidence-based guidelines for the management of IE.