Less is more: A study evaluating targeted education on PPI use in hospitalized, non-critically ill patients.

Abstract

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently prescribed in the hospital setting, often without clear indications, leading to unnecessary medication use and associated risks. This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of a nurse practitioner (NP)-led educational intervention on PPI prescribing in adult, non-critically ill hospitalized patients.

Methods: Patients admitted to medical-surgical or step-down floors during the pre- and postintervention periods with active PPI orders were analyzed. The intervention included 15-minute educational sessions for providers and distribution of infographics emphasizing appropriate PPI use.

Results: The study included 549 patients, with 412 in the preintervention group and 137 in the postintervention group. Overall, PPI orders decreased by 66% (P < .001) and the percentage of appropriate PPI orders increased significantly in the postintervention group (57% vs 77%, P < .001). Surveys of 28 providers revealed that 96% felt the education increased their knowledge, and 100% anticipated it would influence their prescribing practices, though only 40% were aware of the educational infographics.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NP-led targeted education was significantly associated with reduced unnecessary PPI prescribing and increased adherence to appropriate indications. The findings highlight the effectiveness of provider education in optimizing prescribing behaviors. Future research should evaluate the sustainability of these results and explore additional strategies, such as indication-based prescribing, to further enhance medication safety and reduce inappropriate prescribing practices.