scholarly journals Antibiotic Prescribing for Canadian Preschool Children: Evidence of Overprescribing for Viral Respiratory Infections

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine E. L. Wang ◽  
Thomas R. Einarson ◽  
James D. Kellner ◽  
John M. Conly
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 974-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
S. Lena Kang-Birken ◽  
Samantha K. Mathews ◽  
Catelynn E. Kenner ◽  
Lynn N. Fitzgibbons

AbstractObjective:To describe the frequency of antibiotic prescriptions in patients with known viral respiratory infections (VRIs) diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 3 emergency departments (EDs) and to identify patient characteristics that influence the prescribing of antibiotics by ED physicians despite PCR confirmation of viral cause.Design:Retrospective, observational analysis of patients with PCR-diagnosed VRI discharged from 3 acute-care hospital EDs within 1 health system.Results:In total, 323 patients were discharged from the ED with a VRI diagnosis, of whom 68 were prescribed antibiotics (21.1%). These patients were older (median, 59.5 vs 43 years; P = .04), experienced symptoms longer (median, 4 vs 2 days; P = .002), were more likely to have received antibiotics in the preceding 7 days (27.9% vs 9.8%; P < .001), and had higher proportions of abnormal chest X-rays (64.5% vs 28.4%; P < .001). Patients were more likely to receive antibiotics for a diagnosis of pneumonia (39.7% vs 1.6%; P < .001) or otitis media (7.4% vs 0.4%; P = .002), and were less likely with diagnosis of upper respiratory infection (2.9% vs 13.7%; P = .02) or influenza (20.6% vs 44.3%; P < .001).Conclusions:Despite a diagnosis of VRI, one-fifth of ED patients were prescribed antibiotics. Patient characteristics including age, duration of symptoms, abnormal chest X-rays, and specific diagnosis may increase provider concern for concurrent bacterial infections. Opportunities exist for antimicrobial stewardship strategies to incorporate rapid diagnostics in promoting judicious antibiotic usage in the ED.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S77-S77
Author(s):  
Joanne Huang ◽  
Zahra Kassamali Escobar ◽  
Rupali Jain ◽  
Jeannie D Chan ◽  
John B Lynch ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In an effort to combat antimicrobial resistance and adverse drug events, The Joint Commission mandated expansion of antimicrobial stewardship programs into ambulatory healthcare settings Jan 2020. The most common diagnoses resulting in inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing are respiratory infections. This study aimed to assess the rate of antibiotic prescribing for viral respiratory tract infections within six urgent care clinics affiliated with University of Washington Medicine health system in Seattle, WA. Methods This was a retrospective observational study from Jan 2019-Feb 2020. We used the MITIGATE toolkit; a resource that meets CDC’s core elements for outpatient stewardship. Patients were identified based upon pre-specified ICD-10 codes for viral respiratory infections. The primary outcome was the rate of unnecessary antimicrobial prescriptions for acute viral respiratory infections. Secondary outcomes evaluated inappropriate prescribing practices based on antibiotic selection, diagnosis, and age. Results Of 7,313 patients (6078 adults and 1235 pediatric) included, 23% were inappropriately prescribed antibiotics. The most common antibiotics inappropriately prescribed were azithromycin (62%), amoxicillin (13%), and doxycycline (13%). Fluoroquinolone (FQ) utilization was low (2%). Bronchitis (61%) and nonsuppurative otitis media (NSOM) (24%) were the most common viral diagnoses for which antibiotics were prescribed. Overall, unnecessary prescribing was lower in pediatrics than adults at 13% and 25%, respectively (p&lt; 0.001). Adults were more often prescribed antibiotics inappropriately for bronchitis and NSOM compared to pediatrics (p=0.0013). Conclusion Inappropriate prescribing practices across six urgent care clinics varied based upon age and diagnosis. Azithromycin is most often inappropriately prescribed but the low rate of FQ prescribing is encouraging. The lower rate of unnecessary prescribing in pediatrics is promising although there is room for improvement as 1 in 8 children were unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics. These findings support the need for antibiotic stewardship in the outpatient setting, targeting areas for azithromycin use and therapeutic management of bronchitis. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S82-S82
Author(s):  
Zahra Kassamali Escobar ◽  
Todd Bouchard ◽  
Jose Mari Lansang ◽  
Scott Thomassen ◽  
Joanne Huang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Between 15–50% of patients seen in ambulatory settings are prescribed an antibiotic. At least one third of this usage is considered unnecessary. In 2019, our institution implemented the MITIGATE Toolkit, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for viral respiratory infections in emergency and urgent care settings. In February 2020 we identified our first hospitalized patient with SARS-CoV(2). In March, efforts to limit person-to-person contact led to shelter in place orders and substantial reorganization of our healthcare system. During this time we continued to track rates of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. Methods This was a single center observational study. Electronic medical record data were accessed to determine antibiotic prescribing and diagnosis codes. We provided monthly individual feedback to urgent care prescribers, (Sep 2019-Mar 2020), primary care, and ED providers (Jan 2020 – Mar 2020) notifying them of their specific rate of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing and labeling them as a top performer or not a top performer compared to their peers. The primary outcome was rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Results Pre toolkit intervention, 14,398 patient visits met MITIGATE inclusion criteria and 12% received an antibiotic unnecessarily in Jan-April 2019. Post-toolkit intervention, 12,328 patient visits met inclusion criteria and 7% received an antibiotic unnecessarily in Jan-April 2020. In April 2020, patient visits dropped to 10–50% of what they were in March 2020 and April 2019. During this time the unnecessary antibiotic prescribing rate doubled in urgent care to 7.8% from 3.6% the previous month and stayed stable in primary care and the ED at 3.2% and 11.8% respectively in April compared to 4.6% and 10.4% in the previous month. Conclusion Rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing were reduced nearly in half from 2019 to 2020 across 3 ambulatory care settings. The increase in prescribing in April seen in urgent care and after providers stopped receiving their monthly feedback is concerning. Many factors may have contributed to this increase, but it raises concerns for increased inappropriate antibacterial usage as a side effect of the SARS-CoV(2) pandemic. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


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