Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114990

Amyanne Wuthrich-Reggio, BS, CHES, Matthew H. Samore, MD, and Michael A. Rubin, MD, PhD. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, 30 North 1900 East Room AC230A, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, 801-585-7067, amyanne.wuthrich-reggio@hsc.utah.edu

Antibiotics account for approximately 40% of all systemic medications prescribed in Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs). It has been reported that 25% to 75% of all systemic antibiotics prescribed in this setting are inappropriate. In order to combat this trend, a pilot project has been implemented in 2 rural LTCFs. This project provides LTCF nurses, many of whom have had little exposure to technology due to their remote location, with Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) containing computerized evidence-based algorithms for urinary and respiratory tract infections. The use of the algorithms and PDAs is expected to facilitate more effective communication between nurses and physicians by allowing the nurse to anticipate the physicians need before making contact, as well as suggest an appropriate medication, based on the algorithms suggestions. In addition, this project includes an observational study in which anonymous surveillance data on gram negative isolates from all four facilities will be collected to gain further knowledge of antimicrobial resistance in the LTCF setting. For this portion of the project, Infection Control Practitioners will enter microbiological data into a PDA application, and transmit the data electronically to researchers using the “hot-sync” function. PDAs are relatively inexpensive, and their user-friendly applications and mobility make them an ideal tool for nurses conducting surveillance or collecting data. By demonstrating the utility of PDAs used by nurses in the LTCF setting, the door is opened for further investigation into the utility of PDAs in other public health nursing activities. This project is currently underway, and results will be reported, as applicable, at the 2005 APHA conference.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify the benefits of using PDAs as data capture tools in public health nursing activities.
• Describe the ways that PDAs can facilitate effective nurse-physician communication.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance, Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation