IMPLEMENTATION OF INTRAVENOUS PUSH ADMINISTRATION OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Aayush Patel, Matthew McAllister, Katie Fulks Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown - Columbus, GA
Background/Purpose: While traditionally administered as intermittent infusions lasting upwards of 30 minutes per dose, numerous antibiotics can actually be administered as a _x001C_slow push_x001D_ over three to five minutes. Intravenous (IV) push antibiotics can provide a multitude of clinical advantages such as a reduction in time to antibiotic administration and potential cost savings. On February 5, 2019, our institution implemented an IV push antibiotics protocol for several antibiotics including aztreonam, cefazolin, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and meropenem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the protocol on time to initial antibiotic administration as well as financial implications of the protocol.
Methodology: An Institutional Review Board approved, pre_x0013_post study was undertaken during two independent three-month time periods, before and after the implementation of an IV push antibiotics protocol in the emergency department at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown. Patients were included if they received intravenous antibiotics (aztreonam, cefazolin, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone and meropenem) in the emergency department during the pre-implementation phase and post-implementation phase. The primary objective was to evaluate effect on time to antibiotic administration while secondary objectives evaluated adverse drug reactions and cost associated with treatment. An online survey was also sent to the nursing staff after the implementation of the protocol to assess nurse satisfaction.
Presentation Objective: Discuss the outcomes associated with the implementation of intravenous push administration of antibiotics in the emergency department.
Self-Assessment: Did the implementation of intravenous slow push administration of antibiotics in the emergency department reduce the time to antibiotics administration compared to a longer infusion method?
