(P18) Staff Education to Improve Antimicrobial Prescribing at Sunnyhill Nursing Home

Objective/Aim: The PALASE initiative at Sunny Hill Nursing Home seeks to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use by enhancing nursing staff education and integrating antibiotic timeouts via the EMR system. This collaborative effort aims to improve antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care (LTC) by equipping staff with knowledge to reassess and optimize antibiotic therapy, ultimately reducing antibiotic resistance and adverse outcomes. Target goals include decreasing overall resident antibiotic usage and fostering a culture of evidence-based practice.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial in combating antibiotic resistance, which poses significant risks in LTC settings. The PALASE collaboration addresses this by enhancing nursing staff education on stewardship practices, including the use of antibiotic timeouts and antibiograms. These tools support judicious antibiotic use and align care across acute and long-term settings. Staff training, led by infectious disease specialists and pharmacists, emphasizes the use of real-time data from EMRs and microbiological results to guide treatment decisions. By fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, PALASE aims to create a sustainable model of antibiotic management that benefits both patient care and public health.

Quality Improvement Methods: The program includes monthly interdisciplinary meetings and training workshops that bring together nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals from LTCFs and acute care settings. Focus areas include implementing “antibiotic timeouts” through the EMR system (Point Click Care) and utilizing updated protocols and real-case scenarios to reinforce learning. Subject matter experts guide staff through the rationale and application of antibiotic timeouts, helping them develop the skills to assess and adjust treatments based on patient-specific needs. Funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health, this program builds a framework for consistent stewardship across facilities.

Results : Since its launch in October 2023, the initiative has led to a significant decrease in the number of residents receiving antibiotics. Staff now regularly use antibiotic timeouts, promoting a more tailored approach to treatment based on evolving clinical data. This shift reflects improved adherence to best practices in antimicrobial management, with tangible benefits for patient outcomes and reduced antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions: PALASE demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing education and interdisciplinary collaboration in fostering sustainable antimicrobial stewardship. Expanding this model to additional facilities and continuing professional development efforts will support the evolution of responsible antibiotic practices in LTC. The program’s success underscores the role of a collaborative, evidence-based approach in optimizing patient care and preserving antibiotic effectiveness.