Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Pedro Colio, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ENP-C, CCRN

Abstract

The aim of this evidence-based project was to improve the management of purulent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) among male inmates incarcerated within a detention facility in Southern California. Standardizing the use of the Infectious Diseases of America (IDSA) guidelines could ensure improved management of mild abscesses. The IDSA guideline supported the use of incision and drainage of mild abscesses without the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics when clinically appropriate. Over the past decade, the emergence of multi-resistant pathogens has contributed to an increase in the incidence of SSTIs. In 2012, the total cost of SSTIs in the United States alone was $13.8 billion; hospitalizations accounted for most of those costs (Yeroushalmi et al., 2020). Eight physicians and five nurse practitioners were individually provided with education on the appropriate management of mild abscesses as recommended by the IDSA. Pre-intervention, retrospective, baseline data were collected for 3 months for all patients meeting inclusion criteria. Medical records were reviewed and compared with recommendations listed in the IDSA guideline to determine the appropriateness of antibiotic usage. Three months of post-intervention data were collected to assess adherence to the guidelines. Additional data collected included recurrence of abscess-related visits during the pre- and post- intervention periods, failed antibiotic treatment, and common microorganisms. The result of this project was to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics when clinically appropriate among a vulnerable population.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a CC BY License.

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