Impact of an electronic antibiotic advice and approval system on antibiotic prescribing in an Australian teaching hospital.

The impact of a computer-based infectious diseases electronic antibiotic advice and approval system ("IDEA(3)S") was assessed as an alternative to a labour-intensive, phone-based approval system. IDEA(3)S-based approvals replaced 48% of all approvals for the most frequently requested antimicrobial agents (ceftriaxone/cefotaxime, vancomycin) and were associated with stable overall rates of antimicrobial use. Antibiotic prescribing for community-acquired pneumonia was 76% concordant with IDEA(3)S recommendations, and clinical acceptance of IDEA(3)S was excellent. Successful implementation required a coordinated, evidence-based approach between clinicians, pharmacists and hospital administration, together with ongoing staff education and feedback of results. IDEA(3)S is a useful new adjunct to routine clinician consultation to support appropriate antibiotic prescribing for a number of common indications in hospitals.