Implementing Antibiotic Stewardship Strategies to Improve Treatment of Newborns with Suspected Early-Onset Sepsis A Study in Dutch Hospitals Using EOS Calculator, PCT-Guided Therapy, and IV-to-Oral Switch

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the implementation of three evidence-based antibiotic stewardship strategies to improve treatment for neonates suspected of early-onset sepsis in Dutch hospitals. These strategies include the early-onset sepsis EOS calculator, procalcitonin PCT-guided therapy, and intravenous-to-oral switch therapy. While effective and safe, these practices are not yet used in all hospitals, leading to differences in clinical care. The study aims to assess the impact of actively implementing this bundle of interventions using a multicomponent approach across multiple centers. The study uses a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized pre-post design to compare clinical outcomes before and after implementing the stewardship strategies. Hospitals will collect retrospective clinical data on neonates from 12 months before and 12 months after the implementation period. Qualitative data will also be gathered through focus groups, interviews, and surveys to understand the effectiveness of the implementation methods. Participants are neonates born at 34 weeks gestation or later who are 0 to 3 days old at enrollment. Clinical data will be anonymized and analyzed to measure outcomes such as days on antibiotic therapy. The research team will monitor both clinical and implementation results to evaluate how the stewardship strategies affect care. The study is expected to run through June 2026 with ongoing observation of treatment practices and outcomes.

Promoting Optimal Treatment Choices in Neonates With Suspected Early-Onset Sepsis