Using oral antibiotics first to treat pneumonia in hospitalized kids
Official title: Implementing antibiotic stewardship to improve the care of children hospitalized with pneumonia
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11415417 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at making pneumonia treatment in hospitalized children safer and more comfortable by favoring oral antibiotics when possible instead of IV, to save time, reduce harm, and lower costs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $148,800 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HS029693-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415417 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children hospitalized with pneumonia who could be eligible for oral antibiotics as part of their initial treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who require IV antibiotics due to clinical factors or intolerance to oral therapy may not benefit from these strategies.
What this research studies
This grant explores whether starting with oral antibiotics for kids with pneumonia, instead of always using IV antibiotics, is feasible and improves outcomes. It will test clinician-focused strategies in the Emergency Department to increase initial oral antibiotic use and reduce IV use, while measuring effectiveness and how well the strategies are adopted in practice. The project combines a small, real-world trial with studying how best to implement these practices across settings. The research is led by Dr. Jillian Cotter at the University of Colorado Denver, with mentorship to guide translation of evidence into everyday care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer, quicker, and more comfortable hospital care for children with pneumonia, with lower costs and shorter stays.
How similar studies have gone: There is growing evidence suggesting oral antibiotics can be as effective as IV for some pneumonia cases, but adoption into practice remains a challenge.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cotter, Jillian M — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Cotter, Jillian 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.