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Writer's pictureSerena Thane

Enhancing Antibiotic Stewardship with Advanced Insights and Collaboration



Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare. The rise of resistant pathogens threatens the effectiveness of our most trusted treatments, making it more critical than ever to practice responsible antibiotic stewardship. At WayMaker, we're committed to providing healthcare professionals with the tools and insights to make informed, clinically sound decisions prioritizing patient safety and public health.


The Role of Antibiotic Stewardship


Antibiotic stewardship is the systematic effort to optimize antibiotic use, ensuring patients receive the right drug at the correct dose for a suitable duration. This approach improves patient outcomes and reduces the risk of developing and spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria.


PCR and Antibiotic Stewardship


Recently, we encountered a compelling patient case that underscores the importance of advanced diagnostic tools in clinical settings. An older adult with a wound infection had an unfortunate experience with inappropriate antibiotic therapy due to the lack of pathogen-specific information. The initial prescription, Kimyrsa (oritavancin), resulted in an allergic reaction and was ineffective in treating the patient's infection.

 

A few days later, a PCR test of the wound identified the presence of Morganella morganii, a gram-negative bacteria against which Kimyrsa is ineffective. This highlights the critical role of timely and accurate pathogen detection in guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy, thereby preventing adverse reactions and ensuring effective treatment.

 

WayMaker's platform and collaboration with Choice PharmD emphasize incorporating patient-specific data, such as PCR testing results, to guide antibiotic prescriptions, prevent adverse reactions, and improve patient outcomes.


WayMaker's Commitment to Antibiotic Stewardship


At WayMaker, we collaborate with multiple labs to provide comprehensive reports from Choice PharmD, a leader in pharmacotherapy consultation. These PharmD reports go beyond simply listing pathogens; they offer in-depth analyses essential for effective antibiotic stewardship.


Each Choice PharmD report includes:

·   Detailed Pathogen Analysis: Identifies the specific pathogens present in the sample, giving you a clear understanding of the infection at hand.

·   Antibiotic Resistance Gene Detection: Provides critical information on resistance genes, helping you avoid prescribing ineffective antibiotics and reducing the risk of resistance development.

·   Clinically Relevant Medication Recommendations: The report suggests the most appropriate antibiotic treatments based on the detected pathogens and resistance profiles.


Personalizing Care with Patient-Specific Data


WayMaker's platform allows healthcare providers to input and track patients' allergies. This crucial information is communicated directly to the Choice PharmD team, ensuring that the allergy data is integrated into the PharmD report. This personalization level helps avoid adverse drug reactions and ensures that the recommended treatments are safe and effective for each patient.


Direct Access to Pharmacist Expertise


In addition to the detailed information provided in the PharmD report, each report includes a QR code that offers direct access to a pharmacist. This feature lets you easily connect with a Choice PharmD pharmacist to discuss medication options, ask questions, and delve deeper into the report's findings. This direct line of communication ensures you have the support you need to make the best clinical decisions for your patients.


Conclusion: Empowering Responsible Antibiotic Use


Antibiotic stewardship is not just about preserving antibiotics' effectiveness for future generations; it's about providing the best possible care for your patients today. With WayMaker's collaboration with Choice PharmD, you're equipped with the data, insights, and expert support necessary to make informed decisions that align with antibiotic stewardship principles.

 

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