# Implementation of an interruptive electronic health record alert improves optimal antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory patients with acute bacterial sinusitis: a quasi-experiment

## TL;DR

A new alert in electronic health records helped doctors prescribe better antibiotics for sinusitis patients.

## Contribution

An interruptive alert system was implemented to improve antibiotic prescribing for acute bacterial sinusitis.

## Key findings

- Optimal antibiotic prescribing increased from 7% to 30% after the alert implementation.
- The alert significantly improved antibiotic selection and duration for sinusitis treatment.

## Abstract

Sinusitis is a leading cause for outpatient antibiotics. An interruptive electronic health record alert was implemented to promote optimal antibiotic selection and duration for acute bacterial sinusitis when suboptimal treatment is ordered. After implementation, optimal antibiotic prescribing significantly increased 7% preintervention versus 30% postintervention, (unadjOR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.36 – 13.72; P < .001).