(P17) Collaboration to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing at Memorial Care Center

Objective/Aim: Our goal is to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use at Memorial Care Center by building a collaborative framework that utilizes expertise from acute and long-term care settings. This initiative addresses the urgent need to counteract antibiotic resistance, a critical global health issue worsened by antibiotic misuse. Focusing on both acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities, particularly Memorial Care Center, we aim to implement robust antimicrobial stewardship practices. Our measurable objectives include reducing new antibiotic starts and decreasing fluoroquinolone usage, striving to optimize patient care while safeguarding antibiotic efficacy for future generations.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs are vital in reducing adverse effects from antibiotic overuse and in curbing resistance. Memorial Care Center's program connects acute and long-term care settings to promote the rational use of antibiotics like fluoroquinolones, which pose risks such as Clostridioides difficile infections. By integrating resources, standardized protocols, and educational initiatives, the program aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatments. This collaborative approach leverages expertise from various healthcare disciplines to ensure safe, effective care that prioritizes both immediate patient needs and long-term antibiotic efficacy.

Quality Improvement Methods: To achieve these goals, Memorial Care Center established monthly interdisciplinary meetings with acute and long-term care teams. These sessions include infectious disease specialists, geriatricians, pharmacists, and nursing leadership, focusing on stewardship strategies. A primary intervention is the use of “antibiotic timeouts” to reassess and optimize ongoing treatments, with documented tracking of adherence and outcomes. This initiative, supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health, monitors improvements in stewardship practices and reduces antibiotic misuse.

Results : The collaborative model and antibiotic timeouts have achieved significant outcomes: new antibiotic starts dropped from 52.2 to 36.9 instances, and fluoroquinolone use decreased from 12 to 7 instances. These reductions illustrate the program’s impact on promoting safe, appropriate antibiotic use, directly benefiting patient outcomes by minimizing adverse events and unnecessary treatments.

Conclusions: This program underscores the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in antimicrobial stewardship. Future efforts will expand this model to additional facilities and enhance educational outreach, reinforcing a culture of responsible antibiotic use. Lessons learned reveal that structured, cross-disciplinary mentorship and collaboration are foundational to sustainable stewardship, enhancing patient care and preserving antibiotics' effectiveness across healthcare settings.