What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for skin infections, such as oral antibiotics, can have several side effects. These include gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some antibiotics may cause allergic reactions, ranging from mild rashes to severe anaphylaxis. Long-term use can lead to antibiotic resistance and secondary infections like Clostridioides difficile. Additionally, certain antibiotics may interact with other medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness or increasing toxicity. It is important to discuss these potential side effects with a healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective treatment.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved various antibiotics for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), including drugs like cephalexin, clindamycin, and doxycycline. These antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections such as cellulitis and abscesses. Recent studies have explored the use of behavioral economics strategies, such as incentives and nudges, to influence clinician decision-making and reduce the duration of antibiotic prescriptions. These strategies aim to optimize antibiotic use and combat antibiotic resistance while ensuring effective treatment of skin infections.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to Behavioral Economics Strategies for treating skin infections in 2024 include: 1) Integrated, team-based care models that involve multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance treatment plans and patient outcomes. 2) Telemedicine and eHealth platforms that provide remote consultations and follow-ups, improving access to care and adherence to treatment protocols. 3) Advanced diagnostic tools, such as AI-driven diagnostic systems, which can provide more accurate and timely diagnoses, leading to more effective treatment plans.

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Behavioral Intervention

Behavioral Economics Strategies for Antibiotic Duration in Skin Infections (SSTIBE Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Kali Broussard, MD

Research Sponsored by Nationwide Children's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Diagnosis codes A46 (cellulitis), L03 (cellulitis and acute lymphangitis), J34 or L02 (abscess, furuncle), or L01 (impetigo) AND those who received a prescription for an enteral antibiotic

Must not have

Immunocompromising conditions (primary immune deficiency, chemotherapy, etc)

Diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 12 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests if a special computer feature can help doctors prescribe the right amount of antibiotics for skin infections by making it easier to follow guidelines and requiring explanations for longer prescriptions.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital primary care clinics with certain skin and soft tissue infections (like cellulitis, abscesses, or impetigo) who have been prescribed oral antibiotics. It excludes very young infants, those with specific conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa, bites from animals or humans, foreign body-related infections, burns, or weakened immune systems.

What is being tested?

The study tests if using behavioral economics strategies can change how doctors prescribe antibiotics for skin and soft tissue infections compared to just educating them. The focus is on reducing the duration of antibiotic use without compromising treatment effectiveness.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial focuses on prescription behaviors rather than a new medication, side effects are not the main concern; however typical antibiotic side effects may include stomach upset, diarrhea, allergic reactions and in some cases yeast infections.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I have been diagnosed with a skin infection and prescribed antibiotics.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have a condition that weakens my immune system.

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I have been diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa.

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I am under 3 months old.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 12 months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~12 months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 12 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Rate of short antibiotics

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Intervention clinics receiving fully functional Epic order panel with set default \[short\] duration by diagnosis: for cellulitis and drained abscess, 5 days. For impetigo and undrained abscess, 7 days.

Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

Control clinics receiving basic Epic order panel with antibiotic doses by diagnosis but duration free text (must be entered manually by clinician prescriber).

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for skin infections primarily involve antibiotics, which work by disrupting bacterial cell walls, protein synthesis, or DNA replication to eliminate the infection. Behavioral economics strategies, such as incentives and nudges, are used to influence clinician decision-making to optimize antibiotic use. This approach is important for skin infection patients as it helps prevent antibiotic resistance, ensures effective treatment, and reduces potential side effects.

Evidence-Based Strategies in Using Persuasive Interventions to Optimize Antimicrobial Use in Healthcare: a Narrative Review.