ANTIBIOTIC ADJUVANT’S ELECTRONIC TOOL REDUCES ANTIBIOTIC MISUSE IN THE LONG-TERM CARE SECTOR

According to the U.S. CDC, up to 75% of antibiotic prescriptions in American nursing homes are given inappropriately or incorrectly, spurring resistance. To counter this trend, biotechnology company Antibiotic Adjuvant developed SmartSteward, an electronic tool designed to lower medication misuse and overuse through automated infection control and antibiotic stewardship.

The software provides real-time surveillance for possible outbreaks at long-term care facilities, and a decision support system to help physicians optimize antibiotic prescriptions. The tools also take into account physician feedback and real-time infection control reports and provide staff education.

Developed in collaboration with two skilled nursing facilities, SmartSteward is generating early results. One pilot facility saw a 59% decrease in infection rates, a 42% reduction in antibiotic starts, and an increase in sensitivity to Cefazolin, used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, from 58% to 100%.