Transforming Healthcare Through Digital Innovation - Spotlight on Antimicrobial Stewardship

SECTOR UPDATE - RUSH

Antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to global health, with Aotearoa (New Zealand) ranking among the top five countries globally for antibiotic consumption per capita. Aotearoa additionally faces a challenge of prescribing inequality in Antibiotic usage for Māori and Pacific communities.

To address these challenges the Antibiotic Conservation Aotearoa (University of Auckland) partnered with RUSH, in a project funded by Te Niwha, to develop digital platforms which combine innovative technology with clinical expertise to both better understand and take steps to address the challenges associated with inequity in antibiotic use, and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship throughout Aotearoa.

At Digital Health Week RUSH will share progress in two presentations, 'Lessons learnt from building a research platform... to better understand national antibiotic prescribing inequality in Aotearoa.' (11:05am - 04/12 / C3 - Room 3), and 'Co-developing a platform for National Antibiotic Prescribing Guidelines in Aotearoa' (2:10pm - 04/12 / C4 - Room 3).

In the first presentation RUSH will discuss how cloud data platforms are being leveraged to support researchers in understanding antibiotic prescribing inequality across Aotearoa. This session offers valuable insights for healthcare providers and technologists alike, demonstrating how advanced analytics can illuminate and help resolve healthcare disparities.

For the second presentation, RUSH will showcase a platform for antibiotic prescribing guidelines, which was co-developed together with healthcare professionals and researchers from across Aotearoa - including infectious disease specialists, pharmacists, microbiologists, and primary care providers. This initiative represents a significant step forward, unifying a diverse ecosystem of guidelines into a single sustainable platform, to better support healthcare professionals in accessing up to date antibiotic prescribing information.

What sets these projects apart is their outcome focused, trans-disciplinary, and human-centred approach to digital health innovation. The partnership between RUSH, the University of Auckland, and Te Niwha, provides a blueprint for how organisations can collaboratively navigate the complexity of the current healthcare environment (such as fractured healthcare systems, funding challenges, and ageing digital infrastructure) to deliver innovative solutions which improve health outcomes for of all New Zealanders.

The impact of this work extends beyond immediate antimicrobial stewardship. It represents a broader shift toward data-driven, equitable healthcare delivery that aligns perfectly with Digital Health Week's theme of "Navigating the Future NOW." These presentations offer attendees a unique opportunity to understand how digital innovation can be effectively deployed to address critical public health challenges while advancing health equity goals.

Source: RUSH media release

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