Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
DNP Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Kimberly Siniscalchi
Abstract
Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections (URIs) remains a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug events, and unnecessary healthcare costs, particularly in urgent care settings characterized by high patient volume and rapid clinical decision-making. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate a multifaceted antibiotic stewardship program aimed at improving evidence-based antibiotic prescribing practices for URIs in an urgent care setting. A bundled intervention was implemented that included provider education, evidence-based clinical decision guidelines, patient education materials, and audit-and-feedback strategies. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected and analyzed to assess changes in antibiotic prescribing patterns and adherence to clinical guidelines. Following implementation, improvements in adherence to evidence-based prescribing guidelines were observed, along with a reduction in antibiotic prescribing for viral respiratory infections. The intervention was successfully integrated into clinical workflows without negatively impacting efficiency or patient satisfaction. Stewardship interventions can effectively improve prescribing practices in urgent care settings. Integrating practical, evidence-based strategies into routine workflows supports safer prescribing, enhances clinical decision-making, and contributes to broader efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, this project shows the important role advanced practice nurses can play in leading antimicrobial stewardship and quality improvement efforts.
Keywords
Antibiotic stewardship, Urgent care, Quality improvement, Evidence-based practice, Antimicrobial resistance, Upper respiratory infection
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ogunleye, Christianah, "IMPLEMENTING AN ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP BUNDLE IN AN URGENT CARE CENTER" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects-Archive. 132.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/nursing_dnpprojects/132