PROJECT ADDRESSES SUPERBUGS

The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) has launched a pilotproject to proactively address antimicrobialresistance. Through the AntimicrobialUse and Resistance (AUR)eSurveillance project, the CDC willexamine patterns of antibiotic use inhospitals, through the analysis of pharmacyand other clinical data, with theprimary objective of reducing theincrease of superbugs.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital andthe University of Utah Hospital are thefirst health care facilities to useTheraDoc Inc software to send AURreports to the CDC. The hospitals implementedthe TheraDoc Expert SystemPlatform, Infection Control Assistant, andAntibiotic Assistant to improve infectioncontrol and the quality and safety ofpatient care.

The TheraDoc technology enablesinteroperability and connectivity withhealth care information technology systemswhile automating the timely collectionand delivery of accurate clinical data.The technology significantly increasesany individual's ability to compile and analyzeclinical data, whether at the CDC, inthe hospital, or at a state or federal publichealth agency.Once the program is implemented atother institutions,AUR reports from multiplehospitals across the country will allownationwide surveillance of antimicrobialuse and resistance, and, finally, earlierinterventions by the CDC.

In particular, the national AUReSurveillance project will do the following:detect antimicrobial-resistant pathogens;monitor nationwide antibiotic use;and investigate the relationship betweenantimicrobial drug use and emergingresistance.