Nudging In MicroBiology Laboratory Evaluation (NIMBLE): A scoping review.

Background: Nudging in microbiology is an antimicrobial stewardship strategy to influence decision making through the strategic reporting of microbiology results while preserving prescriber autonomy. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of nudging strategies in susceptibility result reporting to improve antimicrobial use.

Methods: A search for studies in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and All EBM Reviews was conducted.

Can a smartphone app improve medical trainees' knowledge of antibiotics?

Objectives: To determine whether a smartphone app, containing local bacterial resistance patterns (antibiogram) and treatment guidelines, improved knowledge of prescribing antimicrobials among medical trainees.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, controlled, pre-post study of medical trainees with access to a smartphone app (app group) containing our hospital's antibiogram and treatment guidelines compared to those without access (control group). Participants completed a survey which included a knowledge assessment test (score range, 0 [lowest possible score] to 12 [highest possible score]) at the start of the study and four weeks later.

Cumulative Antimicrobial Susceptibility Data from Intensive Care Units at One Institution: Should Data Be Combined?

Cumulative susceptibility test data (CSTD) are used to guide empirical antimicrobial therapy and to track trends in antibiotic resistance. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommends reporting CSTD at least annually and sets the minimum number of isolates per reported organism at 30. To comply, many hospitals combine data from multiple intensive care units (ICUs); however, this may not be appropriate to guide empirical therapy because of variations in patient populations.

Treatment of pulmonary hypertension with selective pulmonary vasodilators.

Purpose Of Review: Pulmonary vasodilators are important in the management of pulmonary hypertension. Although systemic vasodilators may be effective in lowering pulmonary artery pressure, systemic vasodilation is the main limitation to dose titration. This review summarizes the latest research and developments in pulmonary vasodilators in the management of acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension.