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Karin A Thursky

Publications and source records attributed to Karin A Thursky.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

User-centered design techniques for a computerised antibiotic decision support system in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of user-centered design techniques for developing the requirements for an antibiotic decision support system (DSS) in an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: The setting was a 21-bed mixed medical/surgical adult ICU. This was an observational study with unstructured interviews and participatory design process. Models were constructed to demonstrate cultural, workflow, sequence/trigger events and other artefacts used to support antibiotic prescribing in the ICU. Using participatory design, a paper prototype was developed and case studies were used to simulate antibiotic prescribing for bacterial isolates. This information was used to design and pilot the decision support tool. RESULTS: The key users were identified as residents, registrars and the unit pharmacist. They identified the major requirements: ability to collate and print microbiology results, and to provide education and antibiotic advice for isolates. The final product was a real time microbiology browser and decision support tool for antibiotic prescribing (ADVISE). Uptake of the system was rapid with over 6000 encounters in the first 6 months. An audit of antibiotic use performed on all consecutive patients 6 months before and after introducing the DSS demonstrated a reduction in total and broad-spectrum antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Contextual design methodology in conjunction with participatory design was an effective method to design this antibiotic decision support tool. The process facilitated physician and pharmacist ownership of the system that resulted in immediate uptake and ongoing use.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Reduction of broad-spectrum antibiotic use with computerized decision support in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To implement and evaluate the effect of a computerized decision support tool on antibiotic use in an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Prospective before-and-after cohort study. SETTING: Twenty-four bed tertiary hospital adult medical/surgical ICU. PARTICIPANTS: All consecutive patients from May 2001 to November 2001 (N = 524) and March 2002 to September 2002 (N = 536). INTERVENTION: A real-time microbiology browser and computerized decision support system for isolate directed antibiotic prescription. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of courses of antibiotic prescribed, antibiotic utilization (defined daily doses (DDDs)/100 ICU bed-days), antibiotic susceptibility mismatches, and system uptake. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the proportion of patients prescribed carbapenems [odds ratio (OR) = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.39-0.97, P = 0.04], third-generation cephalosporins (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.42-0.79, P = 0.001), and vancomycin (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45-1.00, P = 0.05) after adjustment for risk factors including Apache II score, suspected infection, positive microbiology, intubation, and length of stay. The decision support tool was associated with a 10.5% reduction in both total antibiotic utilization (166-149 DDDs/100 ICU bed days) and the highest volume broad-spectrum antibiotics. There were fewer susceptibility mismatches for initial antibiotic therapy (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.39-0.98, P = 0.02) and increased de-escalation to narrower spectrum antibiotics. Uptake of the program was high with 6028 access episodes during the 6-month evaluation period. CONCLUSIONS: This tool streamlined collation and clinical use of microbiology results and integrated into the daily ICU workflow. Its introduction was accompanied by a reduction in both total and broad-spectrum antibiotic use and an increase in the number of switches to narrower spectrum antibiotics.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Spectrum of infection, risk and recommendations for prophylaxis and screening among patients with lymphoproliferative disorders treated with alemtuzumab*.

There is an increasing use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of haematological malignancies. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H; Ilex Pharmaceuticals, San Antonio, TX, USA) is a monoclonal antibody reactive with the CD52 antigen used as first and second line therapy for two types of lymphoproliferative disorders: chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), and T-cell lymphomas [both peripheral (PTCL) and cutaneous (CTCL)]. With alemtuzumab therapy, viral, bacterial and fungal infectious complications are frequent, and may be life threatening. An understanding of the patients at highest risk and duration of risk are important in developing recommendations for empirical management, antimicrobial prophylaxis and targeted surveillance. This review discusses the infection risks associated with these lymphoproliferative disorders and their treatment, and provide detailed recommendations for screening and prophylaxis.

Alemtuzumab↗