There is a 6- to 12-month learning curve in the implementation of an embedded multidisciplinary team training programme. Repeated exposure to simulation is most beneficial to crisis resource management training and single, isolated exposure may not be sufficient.

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IntroductionChildren have a high consumption of antimicrobials that require complicated decision-making by prescribers. Despite this, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions are often not translated into paediatric medicine. Script is a smartphone application (app) launched in Auckland, New Zealand to support decision-making for antimicrobial prescribers. The aim was to improve adherence to existing local clinical guidelines for both adult and paediatric infections.MethodsInpatient and emergency department antimicrobial prescriptions were prospectively collected and evaluated for guideline adherence. Baseline prescribing data were collected and compared with prescribing at 4 months and 1 year after the app was launched. Prescriptions were graded as ‘appropriate’ or ‘inappropriate’ by investigators. Grading was done blinded to timing of the prescription relative to the intervention.ResultsFollowing the launch of the Script app, guideline adherence significantly increased from 241 of 348 (69%) antimicrobial prescriptions graded as appropriate during the baseline period to 301 of 359 (83%) after 4 months (p<0.0001). This improvement from baseline was sustained at 1 year with 263 of 323 (81%) adherence (p<0.001). At 1 year, this improvement could be demonstrated separately for medical, surgical and emergency department prescriptions.ConclusionThere was a significant and sustained improvement in adherence to paediatric antimicrobial guidelines following the introduction of a prescribing support app. The need to seek guidance for antimicrobial doses due to the age-based and weight-based calculations in paediatrics may mean that AMS interventions such as decision support and prescribing tools are particularly well suited to paediatric prescribing.

BackgroundWhen considering antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions, pediatrics is an important and often overlooked group. By 5 years of age, 97% of New Zealand (NZ) children have received antibiotics (median 8 antibiotic courses/child). Prescribing is complex due to age and weight-based adjustments, unpalatable oral preparations and inappropriate allergy labeling. Our tertiary Children’s Hospital has >250 web-based nationally utilized guidelines, 15% including antimicrobials. A point prevalence audit showed only 63% guideline adherence for inpatient antimicrobial prescriptions. We designed an accessible app to bring antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic allergy decision-making to prescribers at point of care.MethodsUsing local hospital and community guidelines, the national formulary and in consultation with subspecialist teams, 31 algorithms were developed. Each algorithm asked questions including diagnosis, age, antibiotic allergy history and known colonization with-resistant organisms.ResultsThe smartphone app (Script) uses the algorithms to advise on appropriate antimicrobial, dose, route and duration of treatment. Advice regarding IV-oral switch parameters and oral antibiotic choice is provided. If allergy is suspected symptom-based decision-making enables the user to choose an alternative agent or encourages allergy de-labeling. Further AMS occurs in some algorithms when advice is given not to prescribe antimicrobials.ConclusionScript for Pediatrics launched in NZ in March 2019 with >1000 users in the first 6 weeks. The most frequently accessed guidelines are otitis media, pneumonia and meningitis. Smartphone applications with local relevance and the ability to update in real-time may prove important tools, by providing easily accessible and intuitive advice to help support antimicrobial stewardship activities. This intervention has been rapidly adopted by pediatric hospital prescribers. The impact on prescribing in concordance with guidelines, timely intravenous to oral antibiotic switch and allergy de-labeling will be assessed. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.