Improving antibiotic use in critically ill children with respiratory infections
Official title: Respiratory Culture Stewardship to Reduce Antibiotic Use in Critically Ill Children
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11046525 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help doctors give fewer unnecessary antibiotics to critically ill children on ventilators by improving how they test for infections, so kids can get the right treatment without the risks of overusing antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $205,868 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS028634-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046525 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill children who require mechanical ventilation and are at risk for developing ventilator-associated infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mechanically ventilated or do not have a risk of ventilator-associated infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in critically ill children who are mechanically ventilated and at risk for ventilator-associated infections (VAIs). By implementing a strategy known as diagnostic stewardship, the study aims to improve the accuracy of respiratory cultures, which are often misleading and lead to over-treatment with antibiotics. The approach involves standardizing clinical practices to better differentiate between bacterial colonization and actual infection, ultimately aiming to decrease the reliance on antibiotics in pediatric intensive care units.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce antibiotic overuse in critically ill children, leading to better health outcomes and decreased rates of antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches in diagnostic stewardship have shown promise in other healthcare settings, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Milstone, Aaron M — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Milstone, Aaron M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.