Implementation of a Clinical Decision Support Tool to Improve Antibiotic IV-to-Oral Conversion Rates at a Community Academic Hospital

Antibiotic IV-to-oral (IV-PO) conversion is a key initiative of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Guidelines and education are commonly described interventions to promote IV-PO conversion; however, technological interventions may be more effective in changing practice. To determine the impact of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool on the adoption and sustainability of an antibiotic IV-PO conversion program at a community academic hospital. A quasi-experimental study consisting of 3 phases was conducted. During phase 1, the pre-intervention antibiotic IV-PO conversion rate was determined. During phase 2, the IV-PO conversion policy was updated, education was provided to pharmacists and physicians, and a post-intervention evaluation was conducted. During phase 3, a CDS tool was developed to generate real-time electronic alerts prompting pharmacists to assess antibiotic therapy, and post-intervention audits were performed 1 month, 3 months, and 15 months after implementation of the tool. Pantoprazole IV-PO conversion was assessed during each phase as a non-equivalent dependent variable. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients eligible for IV-PO conversion who were switched to oral therapy. Of 332 patients receiving targeted IV antibiotic therapy during the overall study period, 122 (37%) met the criteria for IV-PO conversion. The phase 2 IV-PO conversion rate of 35% (9/26) was comparable to the pre-intervention rate of 29% (10/35) ( = 0.61). Implementation of the CDS tool significantly increased the conversion rate to 78% (14/18), an increase that was sustained at 3 months (71% [17/24]) and 15 months (74% [14/19]) after implementation ( < 0.05 for all comparisons with phases 1 and 2). Pantoprazole conversion rates were similar across all phases. Implementation of the CDS tool was effective in improving and sustaining antibiotic IV-PO conversion rates and enhancing policy compliance beyond the effects of policy revision and education. Refinement of both the policy and the tool is warranted to maximize adoption of the IV-PO conversion program.