Ascension receives $2.5 million from PCORI for antimicrobial stewardship program

Ascension, a leading non-profit health system in the United States, has been granted $2.5 million by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This funding, provided through PCORI's Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII), aims to improve antimicrobial prescribing practices for pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infections across various healthcare settings.

The project will be led by Dr. Mohamad Fakih, Chief Quality Officer of Ascension, and Dr. Allison Bollinger, Vice President of Acute Clinical Care, Emergency Medicine, and Urgent Care. Richard Fogel, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Ascension, expressed gratitude for PCORI's support: “We are incredibly grateful to PCORI for their generous support and recognition of this initiative.”

The focus is on children aged 6 months to 17 years, targeting improved clinical outcomes and reduced antibiotic misuse. The initiative will cover over 200 care sites in eight states and is expected to impact more than 200,000 pediatric encounters annually.

Dr. Fakih highlighted the significance of accurate diagnoses and treatments: “Respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of pediatric visits, with most being viral,” he said. The initiative intends to promote responsible antibiotic use based on findings from a PCORI-funded study indicating that narrow-spectrum antibiotics can effectively treat acute respiratory tract infections in children with fewer side effects.

PCORI Executive Director Nakela L. Cook emphasized the project's alignment with PCORI's mission: “This project exemplifies PCORI's commitment to advancing the uptake of evidence into health care delivery settings.” She expressed anticipation for collaboration with Ascension to disseminate the results.

Key elements contributing to the project's success include intervention strategies such as education and feedback mechanisms recognized for improving antibiotic prescribing practices. There is also an emphasis on engaging patients and addressing socioeconomic disparities while conducting ongoing evaluations.

Pending completion of business reviews by PCORI, Ascension plans to establish a sustainable model for enhancing pediatric care within its network using innovative solutions.

PCORI operates as an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to fund research aimed at providing evidence-based information crucial for informed healthcare decisions by patients and clinicians alike.