Improving antibiotic selection for abdominal and skin infections

INSPIRE (INtelligent Stewardship Prompts to Improve Real-time Empiric Antibiotic Selection for Patients): The INSPIRE-ASP Trial for Intra-Abdominal and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

NIH-funded research Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-10840313

The INSPIRE-ASP Trial is testing a new way to help doctors choose the best antibiotics for patients in the hospital with belly or skin infections, using smart tools to see if the infection might be resistant to treatment, so they can avoid using stronger antibiotics when they’re not needed.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10840313 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The INSPIRE-ASP Trial aims to enhance antibiotic prescribing practices for hospitalized patients with abdominal infections or skin and soft tissue infections. By utilizing a predictive algorithm that assesses each patient's likelihood of having an antibiotic-resistant infection, the trial seeks to guide physicians in choosing the most appropriate antibiotics. This approach is based on data collected from electronic health records and local resistance patterns. The trial will compare standard care with an enhanced program that includes feedback and audits to minimize unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are non-critically ill hospitalized patients diagnosed with abdominal infections or skin and soft tissue infections.

Not a fit: Patients who are critically ill or have infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted antibiotic treatments, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that similar antibiotic stewardship programs can effectively reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, suggesting a promising outcome for this trial.

Where this research is happening

Canton, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions DisorderDisease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.