Antimicrobial Use Guidelines (AMUG) version 21 - UW Health

MEMORANDUMDate: February 10, 2003To:All UW Medical Faculty and UWHC House StaffFrom: Carl J. Getto, MD Dennis G. Maki, MD Thomas S. Thielke, MS, FASHPUWHC Medical Director Head, Section of Infectious Diseases UWHC Pharmacy DirectorHospital EpidemiologistRe:Revised Antibiotic Order FormIn March 2002, an antimicrobial order form was initiated at UWHC, to improve the use of antimicrobial therapy at UWHC.This form has for the first time provided the capacity of obtaining real-time information on antimicrobial usage patterns,and has formed the basis for intensified efforts to improve antimicrobial use at UWHC.Based on the positive experience with this initial effort, we have redesigned the antimicrobial order form to provide morespecific information that can be used to target programs to improve use. More specific information is now being requestedon the suspected site of infection, suspected microorganisms and whether this is a first-time order or modification ofprevious orders. During the next several months, this new form, which has replaced the original form, will be implementedon individual units. We further want to emphasize that, with the approval of the Surgical QI Committee, all antibioticsorders, including in cases where there may be a standing order form, will require completion of an antibiotic order form.This is necessary to provide comprehensive and detailed data on all antimicrobial use at UWHC.We want to express our appreciation for your cooperation with this program to date, which is facilitating efforts at multiplelevels to improve the use of antibiotic therapy at UWHC. Your comments and suggestions regarding the new form and theprogram in general are welcomed and can be conveyed to Dr. Barry Fox (Pager 3499) or Sarah Bland, RPh (Pager 2610),who are coordinating specific aspects of our Antibiotic Improvement Program.This requirement includes pre- and post-operative antibiotic order requests andHealthLink ordering.