Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) play a large role in reducing antibiotic misuse and improving patient outcomes. This project’s goal is to reduce physician bias in treatment of non-purulent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the Emergency Department (ED). Through retrospective chart reviews and patient interviews, we found significant misuse of vancomycin in SSTI treatment. After educating physicians on the IDSA guidelines for SSTI, vancomycin use decreased drastically while other antibiotics were used in its place. This study shows the efficacy of ASPs to better control antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes. Further research should be done regarding efficacy of other types of programs as well as their limitations.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Day, Allyson

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042418-180342

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2018

Sponsor

• University of Massachussetts Medical Center

Date created

• 2018-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Source

• E-project-042418-180342

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2024-05-13