Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in children with lung infections
Official title: Reducing Overuse of Antibiotics with Decision Support: The ROADS Study
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11007208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help doctors in emergency rooms make better decisions about when to give antibiotics to kids with lung infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, so they only use them when really needed and help keep kids safe from side effects and antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $250,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029331-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007208 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children presenting with lower respiratory tract infections in emergency departments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-respiratory infections or those who do not require emergency care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the management of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, by implementing decision support tools in emergency departments. The goal is to reduce the overprescription of antibiotics, which is common despite most LRTIs being caused by viruses. By utilizing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs tailored for the fast-paced ED environment, the study aims to ensure that antibiotics are only prescribed when truly necessary, thereby minimizing adverse effects and combating antibiotic resistance. The approach includes evaluating current practices and developing strategies to optimize antibiotic use in pediatric care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer antibiotic prescribing practices, reducing side effects and the risk of antibiotic resistance in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs can effectively reduce inappropriate antibiotic use in hospital settings, although their application in emergency departments is less established.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Derek J. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Williams, Derek J.
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.