Article
Immunology
Lauren Dutcher, Kathleen Degnan, Afia B. Adu-Gyamfi, Ebbing Lautenbach, Leigh Cressman, Michael Z. David, Valerie Cluzet, Julia E. Szymczak, David A. Pegues, Warren Bilker, Pam Tolomeo, Keith W. Hamilton
Summary: A provider-targeted intervention implemented in primary care practices can effectively reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections without affecting prescribing for infections that likely require antibiotics.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Destani Bizune, Sharon Tsay, Danielle Palms, Laura King, Monina Bartoces, Ruth Link-Gelles, Katherine Fleming-Dutra, Lauri A. Hicks
Summary: Background studies have shown that outpatient antibiotic prescribing rates vary in different regions in the United States, with the Southern region having higher rates. This study aimed to determine if differences in prescriber clinical factors contribute to this regional variability. The analysis of a commercially insured population found that ARTI visits in the South were 34% more likely to receive antibiotics compared to the West. Non-clinical factors such as prescribing habits and patient expectations may play a role in higher antibiotic prescribing rates in the South.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dipesh Solanky, Olivia L. McGovern, Jonathan R. Edwards, Garrett Mahon, Twisha S. Patel, Fernanda C. Lessa, Lauri A. Hicks, Payal K. Patel
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, there was a significant increase in the prescription of azithromycin for respiratory infections, with patient age and sex being independent predictors of this change. General practitioners and gynecologists were the most common prescribers. The impact of the pandemic on outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Brazil is not well-described.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zhuoxin Peng, Andrew Hayen, Bette Liu
Summary: This study found that higher individual-level antibiotic prescribing was associated with an increased risk of treatment non-response in respiratory tract infections in primary care, while there was no significant association between total antibiotic prescriptions per patient at the practice level. Practices with high broad- to narrow-spectrum antibiotic ratios had an increased risk of treatment non-response, particularly among patients with less than 4 antibiotic prescriptions per year. Practice-level antibiotic prescribing could potentially guide the improvement of antibiotic treatment.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Akke Vellinga, Addiena Luke-Currier, Nathaly Garzon-Orjuela, Rune Aabenhus, Marilena Anastasaki, Anca Balan, Femke Boehmer, Valerija Bralic Lang, Slawomir Chlabicz, Samuel Coenen, Ana Garcia-Sangenis, Anna Kowalczyk, Lile Malania, Angela Tomacinschii, Sanne R. van der Linde, Emily Bongard, Christopher C. Butler, Herman Goossens, Alike W. van der Velden
Summary: This study examined the antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in general practices across European countries. The findings showed that some countries did not meet the appropriate prescribing standards for certain types of infections, and the antibiotic usage rates differed among countries, with Denmark and Spain having lower rates compared to others.
Review
Pediatrics
Matti Korppi
Summary: This mini review summarizes the available data on the implementation and impact of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in pediatric outpatients. The results suggest that ASPs have a low impact on overall antibiotic prescription rates and a modest impact on prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, the implementation of ASP protocols needs further development, and more research is necessary on barriers to complying with ASPs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sireen M. Alkhaldi, Nada A. Yaseen, Elaf A. Bataineh, Baeth Al-Rawashdeh, Mones A. Albadaineh, Sura M. Mubarak, Razan E. Jaras, Hana A. Taha
Summary: The study found that inappropriate use of antibiotics is a global public health issue and aimed to investigate patterns of antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in Jordan. Analysis of prescriptions in family medicine clinics revealed that 27.3% of all prescriptions included antibiotics, with penicillins being the most commonly prescribed. However, only 28.8% of all antibiotics prescribed were considered appropriate. Older patients and hospital/university employees were more likely to be prescribed antibiotics compared to younger patients and Ministry of Health employees.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Helen L. Zhang, Champica Bodinayake, Gaya B. Wijayaratne, Pasangi Jayatissa, D. L. Bhagya Piyasiri, Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, Tianchen Sheng, Ajith Nagahawatte, Christopher Woods, L. Gayani Tillekeratne
Summary: This study conducted a survey at an outpatient department of a public tertiary medical center in Sri Lanka and found a high prevalence of antibiotic prescription at 35.7%, with respiratory indications being the most common reason for prescriptions. The data highlights the need for enhanced antimicrobial stewardship in outpatient settings in Sri Lanka.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tania Magalhaes Silva, Marta Estrela, Sandra Magalhaes, Catarina Simoes, Afonso Cachim, Taina Costa, Gabriella Crexinski, Margarida Pisco Almeida, Adolfo Figueiras, Fatima Roque, Maria Teresa Herdeiro
Summary: This study reveals that the eHealthResp platform plays an important role in raising awareness and promoting adequate antibiotic use among physicians.
Article
Immunology
Stephen M. Kissler, R. Monina Klevens, Michael L. Barnett, Yonatan H. Grad
Summary: In Massachusetts, 45.2% of the difference in per capita antibiotic prescribing between high- and low-prescribing areas was attributable to variation in outpatient visit rates, while 25.8% was explained by prescribing practices. Outpatient visits for sinusitis, pharyngitis, and suppurative otitis media accounted for 30.3% of the gap in prescribing, with most of the variation in visit rates concentrated in children younger than 10 years old.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Stephen M. Kissler, R. Monina Klevens, Michael L. Barnett, Yonatan H. Grad
Summary: The decline in outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Massachusetts between 2011 and 2015 was driven by improvements in stewardship and reductions in observed disease. This trend aligns with national data showing a decrease in outpatient visits for conditions that merit antibiotics.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rana F. Hamdy, Daniel Park, Kristin Dean, James Thompson, Anusha Kambala, Lily D. Yan, Ian Tong, Cindy M. Liu
Summary: In this study, we found that provider geographic location is a stronger factor in antibiotic prescribing than patient location. Physicians in the Northeast and South are more likely to prescribe antibiotics for upper respiratory infection and bronchitis compared to physicians in the West.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Julie Gorham, Fabio S. Taccone, Maya Hites
Summary: Difficult-to-treat pulmonary infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens are a major concern and nebulized antibiotics are increasingly being used to treat these infections. Nebulized antibiotics have the advantage of delivering high drug concentrations to the site of infection while minimizing systemic adverse effects. However, there is still a lack of clinical studies confirming their efficacy and safety.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
E. S. T. H. E. R. A. R. HARTMAN, W. I. M. G. GROEN, S. I. L. J. E. R. E. B. E. K. K. A. HELTVEIT-OLSEN, M. O. R. T. E. N. LINDBAEK, S. I. G. U. R. D. HOYE, PAR-DANIEL SUNDVALL, I. N. G. M. A. R. I. E. SKOGLUND, E. G. I. L. L. SNAEBJORNSSON ARNLJOTS, R. O. N. N. Y. GUNNARSSON, A. N. N. A. KOWALCZYK, M. A. C. I. E. K. GODYCKI-CWIRKO, K. A. T. A. R. Z. Y. N. A. KOSIEK, T. A. M. A. R. A. N. PLATTEEL, A. L. M. A. C. VAN DE POL, T. H. E. O. J. M. VERHEIJ, A. N. N. E. L. I. E. A. MONNIER, C. E. E. S. M. P. M. HERTOGH
Summary: This study explores the factors contributing to antibiotic prescribing for suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) in frail older adults. By examining clinical complexity, diagnostic factors, knowledge and attitudes, communication, and the context and organization of care, an overarching model is developed to guide the development of antibiotic stewardship interventions for UTIs in this population.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tianqin Xue, Chaojie Liu, Zhuoxian Li, Junjie Liu, Yuqing Tang
Summary: This study found that primary care physicians consider age, duration of symptoms, and intervenable patient attributes in their antibiotic prescribing decisions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). They prefer to prescribe antibiotics for URTI patients who have difficulties scheduling a follow-up appointment and for those without a clear indication of refusal to antibiotics. The influence of patient request for antibiotics is greater than the easiness of follow-up appointment. These interventionable patient attributes have the most profound impact on antibiotic prescribing decisions for patients aged between 60 and 75 years.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
