Time Is of the Essence: Achieving Prompt and Effective Antimicrobial Therapy of Bloodstream Infection With Advanced Hospital Information Systems

Abstract The early administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy is crucial for the survival of patients with bacteremia. Current research focuses on improving analytical times through technology, whereas there have been very few efforts to improve postanalytical times even though they represent...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2024-06, Vol.78 (6), p.1434-1442
Main Authors: Morquin, David, Lejeune, Jordan, Agostini, Céline, Godreuil, Sylvain, Reynes, Jacques, Le Moing, Vincent, Lamy, Brigitte
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The early administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy is crucial for the survival of patients with bacteremia. Current research focuses on improving analytical times through technology, whereas there have been very few efforts to improve postanalytical times even though they represent 40% of the time between blood taking and appropriate treatment administration. One of the clues is the efficiency and appropriateness of the result communication system. Here, we review all delays in the entire process with the aim of improving time to appropriate treatment administration. We discuss causes for long times to adjust treatment once microbiological results are released. We argue that the pervasive health information system in this organization serves as both a bottleneck and a rigid framework. Finally, we explore how next-generation hospital information systems should be designed to effectively assist the doctors in treating patients with bacteremia. 40% of the time between blood taking and appropriate treatment administration is postanalytical time. Current health information systems serve as bottleneck and rigid framework to focus on. Because of complex process, next-generation health information systems should be codesigned with healthcare workers.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/cid/ciad744