Infections in Older Adults: A Case-Based Discussion Series Emphasizing Antibiotic Stewardship.

Abstract

Introduction:Compared with younger populations, adults 65 years and older are more likely to suffer infection-related morbidity and mortality, experience antibiotic-related adverse events, and acquire multidrug-resistant organisms. We developed a series of case-based discussions that stressed antibiotic stewardship while addressing management of common infections in older adults. Methods:Five 1-hour case-based discussions address recognition, diagnosis, and management of infections common in older adults, including those living in long-term care settings: urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and Clostridium difficile infection. The education was implemented at the skilled nursing centers at 15 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Participants from an array of disciplines completed an educational evaluation for each session as well as a pre- and postcourse knowledge assessment. Results:The number of respondents to the educational evaluation administered following each session ranged from 68 to 108. Learners agreed that each session met its learning objectives (4.80-4.89 on a 5-point Likert scale, 5 = strongly agree) and that they were likely to make changes (2.50-2.89 on a 3-point scale, 3 = highly likely to make changes). The average score on the five-question knowledge assessment increased from 3.6 (72%) to 3.9 (78%, p = .06). Discussion:By stressing recognition of atypical signs and symptoms of infection in older adults, diagnostic tests, and antibiotic stewardship, this series of five case-based discussions enhanced clinical training of learners from several disciplines.

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Published Version (Please cite this version)

10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10754

Publication Info

Michener, Alyson, Barbara Heath, Christopher J Crnich, Rebekah Moehring, Kenneth Schmader, Lona Mody, Westyn Branch-Elliman, Robin LP Jump, et al. (2018). Infections in Older Adults: A Case-Based Discussion Series Emphasizing Antibiotic Stewardship. MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources, 14. p. 10754. 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10754 Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/18186.

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Moehring

Rebekah Moehring

Associate Professor of Medicine

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