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Research Focus Areas:
Outcomes

Real-Time Electronic Alerts to Improve Antibiotic and Temperature Management in Surgical Patients

Principal Investigators

B. G. Nair, Ph.D., H. A. Schwid, M.D.

Description

Research has irrefutably proven that timely administration of perioperative antibiotics and maintenance of normothermia reduces surgical site infections. Yet, despite national mandates, quality measures, and monthly reporting to clinicians, translation to clinical practice remains sub-optimal with adherence to clinical protocols for initial dose of perioperative antibiotics at only 86-90% at University of Washington Medical Center and lower in most other hospitals. To address these and other patient safety issues we developed a prototype software tool, the Smart Anesthesia Messenger (SAM). SAM works in conjunction with an Anesthesia Information Management System (AIMS) to monitor the occurrence of patient safety issues and provide electronic alerts to the anesthesia care giver in real-time at the point of patient care. Immediately following the introduction of the basic prototype SAM on-time administration of the first dose of antibiotic increased to 98% for the first month and 99% for the second month. The proposed research study aims to expand SAM to improve perioperative antibiotic redosing and maintenance of normothermia. The effectiveness of the electronic alerts will be evaluated by comparing the antibiotic and temperature management during surgical cases with and without SAM messages.

Outcomes:
Research Projects

A Nursing Study of Gut Function in Menstruating Women
M. M. Heitkemper, Ph.D., M. E. Jarrett, Ph.D., P. G. Richebé, M.D., Ph.D.
Abdominal Symptom Phenotypes: Pathways to New Biomarkers
M. M. Heitkemper, Ph.D., R. Shulman, M.D., P. G. Richebé, M.D, Ph.D., et al.
Closed Claims Project
K. Domino, M.D., MPH, K. Posner, Ph.D., F.W. Cheney, M.D., L. Lee, M.D.
Computerized Glucose Control in Critically Ill Patients
M. Horibe, M.D., J.D. Lang, M.D., B. G. Nair, Ph.D.
Determination of Risk Factors for Ischemic Optic Neuropathy After Spine Surgery
Lorri A. Lee, M.D.K., Domino, MD,MPH, K. Posner, PhD, et al.
Extubation Failure in Patients with Difficult Airways Study
M. M. Treggiari, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
lst Tier Drugs + Theophylline In Pediatric Severe Asthma
J. Zimmerman, M.D., D. Jardine, M.D.
Pharmacokinetics of Intrathecal Drug Infusions
C.M. Bernards, MD, S. Flack, MBChB
Real-Time Electronic Alerts to Improve Antibiotic and Temperature Management in Surgical Patients
B. G. Nair, Ph.D., H. A. Schwid, M.D.
Resource Over Utilization due to Serious Alcohol Related Injuries (CR)
J. Jarvik, M.D., M.P.H., B.S. Roudsari, Ph.D., M.S. Vavilala, M.D., B. Bresnahan, Ph.D
SIDS and the Inner Ear: A Follow up study of Hearing, Vestibular Function and Respiratory Control
D. Rubens, M.D.
The Association Between Innate Immunity Genes and Outcome Following Sepsis in Children
J. H. Kim, M.D., G. P. Jarvik, M.D., D. Jardine, M.D.
The Gas Study: Comparing Neurodevelopment Outcome and Apnea in Infants
M.E, McCann, M.D., A. Lynn, M.D.
The Influence of Inhaled Nitric Oxide on Attenuating Hepatic Sinusoidal Leukocyte-Endothelial Interactions in Patients Undergoing Orthopic Liver Transplantation
J.D. Lang, Jr, M.D.
Use of Transthoracic Ultrasound to Triage Patients in Preanesthesia Clinic
E. Wako, M.D., G. Van Norman, M.D., G.A. Rooke, MD., Ph.D.