MD33S01: Cellulitis

Bottom line: Information on cellulitis was used to maintain the management of the patient (prescription of antibiotics). There were no information-related patient health outcomes.

Acquisition: On July 6, 2008, MD33 did a search by themselves, at work (in a summer camp), and after an encounter with a patient. They retrieved two information hits about cellulitis and abscess. The reported search objectives were: to address a clinical question and to look up something they forgot. “I worked two weeks as camp doctor, and I had just left the infirmary and got back to my cabin. […] [The patient was] a teenager, a girl. […] She had a cellulitis on her foot and I just wanted to verify with what I had available at the camp that I was treating her appropriately […], with the appropriate antibiotics and make sure that I wasn’t going to have to send her anywhere else. […] I’m just reaffirming what I had thought.” According to MD33, Essential Evidence+ was the only source for information, and the found information was relevant.

Cognition: Two hits were associated with a report of positive cognitive impacts (confirmation and reassurance). “I had started her on something. I just wanted to confirm that what I was doing was appropriate. […] It made me feel better that I had done what I was supposed to do.”

Retrieved information hit(s):

1) NGC Practice Guidelines (CIRT): Drugs of choice: skin infections (InfoPOEMs)

2) NGC Practice Guidelines (CIRT): Management of skin and soft-tissue infections (IDSA)

Application: Information on cellulitis and abscess was retrieved, and was used to maintain the management of the patient (information used as presented in EE+). “It [the information] wasn’t to change anything. It was just to confirm.”

Outcomes: Without this information hit, MD33’s management of the patient would have been the same. There is no clear relationship between the information use and expected health outcomes.

Type of path: No outcome

Acquisition	Cognition	Application	Outcomes
Address a clinical question Look up something forgotten	Confirmed Reassured	Be more certain	No outcome