scholarly journals Trends in outpatient antibiotic use and prescribing practice among US older adults, 2011-15: observational study

BMJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. k3155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W Olesen ◽  
Michael L Barnett ◽  
Derek R MacFadden ◽  
Marc Lipsitch ◽  
Yonatan H Grad
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Prescribing Practice

AbstractObjectiveTo identify temporal trends in outpatient antibiotic use and antibiotic prescribing practice among older adults in a high income country.DesignObservational study using United States Medicare administrative claims in 2011-15.SettingMedicare, a US national healthcare program for which 98% of older adults are eligible.Participants4.5 million fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years old and older.Main outcome measurementsOverall rates of antibiotic prescription claims, rates of potentially appropriate and inappropriate prescribing, rates for each of the most frequently prescribed antibiotics, and rates of antibiotic claims associated with specific diagnoses. Trends in antibiotic use were estimated by multivariable regression adjusting for beneficiaries’ demographic and clinical covariates.ResultsThe number of antibiotic claims fell from 1364.7 to 1309.3 claims per 1000 beneficiaries per year in 2011-14 (adjusted reduction of 2.1% (95% confidence interval 2.0% to 2.2%)), but then rose to 1364.3 claims per 1000 beneficiaries per year in 2015 (adjusted reduction of 0.20% over 2011-15 (0.09% to 0.30%)). Potentially inappropriate antibiotic claims fell from 552.7 to 522.1 per 1000 beneficiaries over 2011-14, an adjusted reduction of 3.9% (3.7% to 4.1%). Individual antibiotics had heterogeneous changes in use. For example, azithromycin claims per beneficiary decreased by 18.5% (18.2% to 18.8%) while levofloxacin claims increased by 27.7% (27.2% to 28.3%). Azithromycin use associated with each of the potentially appropriate and inappropriate respiratory diagnoses decreased, while levofloxacin use associated with each of those diagnoses increased.ConclusionAmong US Medicare beneficiaries, overall antibiotic use and potentially inappropriate use in 2011-15 remained steady or fell modestly, but individual drugs had divergent changes in use. Trends in drug use across indications were stronger than trends in use for individual indications, suggesting that guidelines and concerns about antibiotic resistance were not major drivers of change in antibiotic use.

scholarly journals Trends in outpatient antibiotic prescribing practice among US older adults, 2011-2015: an observational study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Olesen ◽  
Michael L. Barnett ◽  
Derek R. MacFadden ◽  
Marc Lipsitch ◽  
Yonatan H. Grad
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Prescribing Practice

Structured abstractObjectiveTo identify temporal trends in outpatient antibiotic use and antibiotic prescribing practice among older adults.DesignObservational study using United States Medicare administrative claims during 2011-2015. Trends in antibiotic use were estimated using multivariable regression adjusting for beneficiaries’ demographic and clinical covariates.SettingMedicare.Participants4.6 million Medicare beneficiaries from a nationwide, 20% sample of fee-forservice Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years old.Main outcome measurementsOverall rates of antibiotic prescription claims, rates of appropriate and inappropriate prescribing, rates for each of the most frequently prescribed antibiotics, and rates of antibiotic claims associated with specific diagnoses.ResultsAntibiotic claims fell from 1362.2 to 1361.6 claims per 1,000 beneficiaries per year during 2011-2015, an overall 0.2% decrease (95% CI 0.07-0.32). Inappropriate antibiotic claims fell from 552 to 533 claims per 1,000 beneficiaries, a 4.1% decrease (CI 3.9-4.3). Individual antibiotics had heterogeneous changes in use. For example, azithromycin claims per beneficiary decreased by 18.4% (CI 18.2-18.7) while levofloxacin claims increased by 28.1% (CI 27.5-28.6). Azithromycin use associated with each of the potentially appropriate and inappropriate respiratory diagnoses we considered decreased, while levofloxacin use associated with each of those diagnoses increased.ConclusionAmong US Medicare beneficiaries, overall antibiotic use and inappropriate use declined modestly, but individual drugs experienced divergent changes in use. Trends in drug use across indications were stronger than trends in use for individual indications, suggesting that guidelines and concerns about antibiotic resistance were not major drivers of change in antibiotic use.

scholarly journals 154. Development of an Electronic Algorithm to Target Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts for Adults with Acute Pharyngitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S87-S87
Author(s):  
Ebbing Lautenbach ◽  
Keith W Hamilton ◽  
Robert Grundmeier ◽  
Melinda M Neuhauser ◽  
Lauri Hicks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chart Review ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
University Of Pennsylvania ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Acute Pharyngitis ◽  
Test Characteristics ◽  
Appropriate Prescribing ◽  
Concurrent Infections ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Although most antibiotic use occurs in outpatients, antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) have primarily focused on inpatients. A major challenge for outpatient ASPs is lack of accurate and accessible electronic data to target interventions. We developed and validated an electronic algorithm to identify inappropriate antibiotic use for adult outpatients with acute pharyngitis. Methods In the University of Pennsylvania Health System, we used ICD-10 diagnostic codes to identify patient encounters for acute pharyngitis at outpatient practices between 3/15/17 – 3/14/18. Exclusion criteria included immunocompromising conditions, comorbidities, and concurrent infections that might require antibiotic use. We randomly selected 300 eligible subjects. Inappropriate antibiotic use based on chart review served as the basis for assessment of the electronic algorithm which was constructed using only data in the electronic health record (EHR). Criteria for appropriate prescribing, choice of antibiotic, and duration included positive streptococcal testing, use of penicillin/amoxicillin (absent b-lactam allergy), and 10 days maximum duration of therapy. Results Of 300 subjects, median age was 42, 75% were female, 64% were seen by internal medicine (vs. family medicine), and 69% were seen by a physician (vs. advanced practice provider). On chart review, 127 (42%) subjects received an antibiotic, of which 29 had a positive streptococcal test and 4 had another appropriate indication. Thus, 74% (94/127) of patients received antibiotics inappropriately. Of the 29 patients who received appropriate prescribing, 27 (93%) received an appropriate antibiotic. Finally, of the 29 patients who were appropriately treated, 29 (100%) received the correct duration. Test characteristics of the EHR algorithm (compared to chart review) are noted in the Table. Conclusion Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for acute pharyngitis is common. An electronic algorithm for identifying inappropriate prescribing, antibiotic choice, and duration is highly accurate. This algorithm could be used to efficiently assess prescribing among practices and individual clinicians. The impact of interventions based on this algorithm should be tested in future work. Test Characteristics of Electronic Algorithm for Inappropriate Prescribing, Agent, and Duration Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment and Dementia Risk in Older Adults

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G L Dunietz ◽  
R D Chervin ◽  
J F Burke ◽  
A S Conceicao ◽  
T J Braley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Not Otherwise Specified ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Study Objectives To examine associations between PAP therapy, adherence and incident diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia not-otherwise-specified (DNOS) in older adults. Methods This retrospective study utilized Medicare 5% fee-for-service claims data of 53,321 beneficiaries, aged 65+, with an OSA diagnosis prior to 2011. Study participants were evaluated using ICD-9 codes for neurocognitive syndromes [AD(n=1,057), DNOS(n=378), and MCI(n=443)] that were newly-identified between 2011-2013. PAP treatment was defined as presence of ≥1 durable medical equipment (HCPCS) code for PAP supplies. PAP adherence was defined as ≥2 HCPCS codes for PAP equipment, separated by≥1 month. Logistic regression models, adjusted for demographic and health characteristics, were used to estimate associations between PAP treatment or adherence and new AD, DNOS, and MCI diagnoses. Results In this sample of Medicare beneficiaries with OSA, 59% were men, 90% were non-Hispanic whites and 62% were younger than 75y. The majority (78%) of beneficiaries with OSA were prescribed PAP (treated), and 74% showed evidence of adherent PAP use. In adjusted models, PAP treatment was associated with lower odds of incident diagnoses of AD and DNOS (OR=0.78, 95% CI:0.69-0.89; and OR=0.69, 95% CI:0.55-0.85). Lower odds of MCI, approaching statistical significance, were also observed among PAP users (OR=0.82, 95% CI:0.66-1.02). PAP adherence was associated with lower odds of incident diagnoses of AD (OR=0.65, 95% CI:0.56-0.76). Conclusions PAP treatment and adherence are independently associated with lower odds of incident AD diagnoses in older adults. Results suggest that treatment of OSA may reduce risk of subsequent dementia.

Inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use in children insured by Kentucky Medicaid

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bethany A. Wattles ◽  
Kahir S. Jawad ◽  
Yana Feygin ◽  
Maiying Kong ◽  
Navjyot K. Vidwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Claims Data ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Pharmacy Claims ◽  
Medicaid Children

Abstract Objective: To describe risk factors associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing to children. Design: Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of antibiotic prescribing to children, using Kentucky Medicaid medical and pharmacy claims data, 2017. Participants: Population-based sample of pediatric Medicaid patients and providers. Methods: Antibiotic prescriptions were identified from pharmacy claims and used to describe patient and provider characteristics. Associated medical claims were identified and linked to assign diagnoses. An existing classification scheme was applied to determine appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions. Results: Overall, 10,787 providers wrote 779,813 antibiotic prescriptions for 328,515 children insured by Kentucky Medicaid in 2017. Moreover, 154,546 (19.8%) of these antibiotic prescriptions were appropriate, 358,026 (45.9%) were potentially appropriate, 163,654 (21.0%) were inappropriate, and 103,587 (13.3%) were not associated with a diagnosis. Half of all providers wrote 12 prescriptions or less to Medicaid children. The following child characteristics were associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing: residence in a rural area (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.1), having a visit with an inappropriate prescriber (OR, 4.15; 95% CI, 4.1–4.2), age 0–2 years (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.37–1.41), and presence of a chronic condition (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.28–1.33). Conclusions: Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing to Kentucky Medicaid children is common. Provider and patient characteristics associated with inappropriate prescribing differ from those associated with higher volume. Claims data are useful to describe inappropriate use and could be a valuable metric for provider feedback reports. Policies are needed to support analysis and dissemination of antibiotic prescribing reports and should include all provider types and geographic areas.

scholarly journals Patterns of Long-Term Prescription Opioid Use Among Older Adults in the United States: A Study of Medicare Administrative Claims Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 1;24 (1;1) ◽  
pp. 31-40
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Claims Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Prescription ◽  
Administrative Claims Data

BACKGROUND: Long-term opioid therapy was prescribed with increasing frequency over the past decade. However, factors surrounding long-term use of opioids in older adults remains poorly understood, probably because older people are not at the center stage of the national opioid crisis. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the annual utilization and trends in long-term opioid use among older adults in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Data from Medicare-enrolled older adults. METHODS: This study utilized a nationally representative sample of Medicare administrative claims data from the years 2012 to 2016 containing records of health care services for more than 2.3 million Medicare beneficiaries each year. Medicare beneficiaries who were 65 years of age or older and who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, and D, but not Part C, for at least 10 months in a year were included in the study. We measured annual utilization and trends in new long-term opioid use episodes over 4 years (2013–2016). We examined claims records for the demographic characteristics of the eligible individuals and for the presence of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), cancer, and other comorbidities. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016, administrative claims of approximately 2.3 million elderly Medicare beneficiaries were analyzed in each year with a majority of them being women (~56%) and white (~82%) with a mean age of approximately 75 years. The proportion of all eligible beneficiaries with at least one new opioid prescription increased from 6.64% in 2013, peaked at 10.32% in 2015, and then decreased to 8.14% in 2016. The proportion of individuals with long-term opioid use among those with a new opioid prescription was 12.40% in 2013 and 10.20% in 2016. Among new long-term opioid users, the proportion of beneficiaries with a cancer diagnosis during the study years increased from 13.30% in 2013 to 15.67% in 2016, and the proportion with CNCP decreased from 30.25% in 2013 to 27.36% in 2016. Across all years, long-term opioid use was consistently high in the Southern states followed by the Midwest region. LIMITATIONS: This study used Medicare fee-for-service administrative claims data to capture prescription fill patterns, which do not allow for the capture of individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, cash prescriptions, or for the evaluation of appropriateness of prescribing, or the actual use of medication. This study only examined long-term use episodes among patients who were defined as opioid-naive. Finally, estimates captured for 2016 could only utilize data from 9 months of the year to capture 90-day long-term-use episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Using a national sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries, we observed that from 2013 to 2016 the use of new prescription opioids increased from 2013 to 2014 and peaked in 2015. The use of new long-term prescription opioids peaked in 2014 and started to decrease from 2015 and 2016. Future research needs to evaluate the impact of the changes in new and long-term prescription opioid use on population health outcomes. KEY WORDS: Long-term, opioids, older adults, trends, Medicare, chronic non-cancer pain, cancer, cohort study

scholarly journals Patient mortality after surgery on the surgeon’s birthday: observational study

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m4381
Author(s):  
Hirotaka Kato ◽  
Anupam B Jena ◽  
Yusuke Tsugawa
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Critical Access Hospitals ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Study Analysis

Abstract Objective To determine whether patient mortality after surgery differs between surgeries performed on surgeons’ birthdays compared with other days of the year. Design Retrospective observational study. Setting US acute care and critical access hospitals. Participants 100% fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 99 years who underwent one of 17 common emergency surgical procedures in 2011-14. Main outcome measures Patient postoperative 30 day mortality, defined as death within 30 days after surgery, with adjustment for patient characteristics and surgeon fixed effects. Results 980 876 procedures performed by 47 489 surgeons were analyzed. 2064 (0.2%) of the procedures were performed on surgeons’ birthdays. Patient characteristics, including severity of illness, were similar between patients who underwent surgery on a surgeon’s birthday and those who underwent surgery on other days. The overall unadjusted 30 day mortality on the operating surgeon’s birthday was 7.0% (145/2064) and that on other days was 5.6% (54 824/978 812). After adjusting for patient characteristics and surgeon fixed effects (effectively comparing outcomes of patients treated by the same surgeon on different days), patients who underwent surgery on a surgeon’s birthday exhibited higher mortality compared with patients who underwent surgery on other days (adjusted mortality rate, 6.9% v 5.6%; adjusted difference 1.3%, 95% confidence interval 0.1% to 2.5%; P=0.03). Event study analysis of patient mortality by day of surgery relative to a surgeon’s birthday found similar results. Conclusions Among Medicare beneficiaries who underwent common emergency surgeries, those who received surgery on the surgeon’s birthday experienced higher mortality compared with patients who underwent surgery on other days. These findings suggest that surgeons might be distracted by life events that are not directly related to work.

scholarly journals 143. Antibiotic Use for Common Infections in British Columbia and Ontario: A Review of Outpatient Prescribing to Seniors from 2000 – 2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S184-S184
Author(s):  
Ariana Saatchi ◽  
Jennifer Reid ◽  
Marcus Povitz ◽  
Salimah Shariff ◽  
Michael Silverman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Prescription Rates ◽  
Administrative Health Databases ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
Common Infections

Abstract Background Antimicrobials remain among the most prescribed medications in Canada, with over 90% prescribed in outpatient settings. Older adults (aged ≥65 years) prescribed antimicrobials are particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events and antimicrobial resistance. This study compared annual rates of indication-associated, outpatient prescribing to seniors across two Canadian provinces. Methods All outpatient, oral antimicrobials dispensed to older adults (≥65 years) were identified from administrative health databases, from 2000 to 2018. Antimicrobials were limited to outpatient use only and linked to an indication using a 3-tiered diagnostic hierarchy. When possible, a record of dispensation was matched to a tier 1 indication (always require antibiotics) first. In the absence of a tier 1 indication, priority was given to tier 2 (sometimes require antibiotics), then 3 (never require antibiotics). Prescription rates were calculated per 1000 population, and trends were examined overall, by drug class, and patient demographics. Results Our study included over 18 million individuals (aged ≥65 years) with a total of 23,773,552 antibiotic prescriptions issued to seniors, for common infections. In both provinces, prescribing for tier 1 diagnoses increased over the study period (BC: 44%; ON: 28%). Urinary tract infections accounted for most prescriptions within this tier (ON: 89 prescriptions/1000, BC: 129 prescriptions/1000 population by 2018). Pneumonia-associated prescribing increased by roughly 10% in both provinces. In any given study year, for both provinces, tier 3 diagnosis was the most common reason for antibiotic use, accounting for 50% of all indication-associated antibiotic prescribing. As diagnoses within this tier do not warrant prescribing all antibiotics issued are therefore inappropriate prescriptions. Figure 1. Rates of indication-associated antibiotic use in Canadian seniors, from 2000 to 2018. Conclusion Elevated prescribing to seniors continues across Canadian outpatient settings. Antibiotic prescribing remains an issue of high concern with 50% of all antimicrobials prescribed to seniors, for common infections, used inappropriately. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Antibiotic Prescribing Practice in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: Analysis Based on 2019 WHO AWaRe Classification

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahin Juveriya ◽  
Peddireddy Mounika ◽  
Mangalapalli Venkataramana ◽  
SV Padi Satyanarayana
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prescription Pattern ◽  
Prescribing Practice

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are prone to infections and inevitably require antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to humans. Indeed, the most important cause for spread of AMR is irrational use of antibiotics. Therefore, the present study evaluates prescribing practice of antibiotics in CKD patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 382 CKD in-patients prescribed with antibiotics. The data were analysed using the WHO prescribing indicators and the WHO Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 3.1. Antibiotics prescribed by generic name and prescribed from the Essential Medicines List were 52.9% and 47.1%, respectively. % Encounters with antibiotics and parenteral antibiotics were 59.2% and 77.4%, respectively. Third generation cephalosporins (76.9%), particularly cefoperazone (40%) and ceftriaxone (21.2%), were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. A total of 19 specific antibiotics (Access 5, Watch 13, Reserve 1, and Not Recommended 0) were prescribed. According to WHO AWaRe classification, 10.6%, 89%, and 0.4% of antibiotics prescribed were from the ‘Access’, ‘Watch’, ‘Reserve’ categories, respectively. ‘Watch’ category antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins (98%), were prescribed in high rate. The most commonly prescribed ‘Access’ and ‘Watch’ category antibiotics were amikacin (37%) and cefoperazone (44.9%), respectively. Amoxicillin index was 1.6 and ‘Access-to-Watch’ index was 0.1, which were below the priority values. Prescription pattern of antibiotics observed in this study was not fully met the WHO recommendations. Additionally, ‘Watch’ category antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins, were prescribed frequently. Changes in prescription pattern and monitoring of antibiotic use are essential to preserve effectiveness and promote rational use of antibiotics, and to overcome AMR.

scholarly journals Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription Trends in the United States: A National Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 584-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Durkin ◽  
S. Reza Jafarzadeh ◽  
Kevin Hsueh ◽  
Ya Haddy Sallah ◽  
Kiraat D. Munshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Antibiotic Consumption ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Amoxicillin Clavulanate ◽  
Tract Infections

OBJECTIVETo characterize trends in outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in the United StatesDESIGNRetrospective ecological and temporal trend study evaluating outpatient antibiotic prescriptions from 2013 to 2015SETTINGNational administrative claims data from a pharmacy benefits manager PARTICIPANTS. Prescription pharmacy beneficiaries from Express Scripts Holding CompanyMEASUREMENTSAnnual and seasonal percent change in antibiotic prescriptionsRESULTSApproximately 98 million outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were filled by 39 million insurance beneficiaries during the 3-year study period. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were azithromycin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, ciprofloxacin, and cephalexin. No significant changes in individual or overall annual antibiotic prescribing rates were found during the study period. Significant seasonal variation was observed, with antibiotics being 42% more likely to be prescribed during February than September (peak-to-trough ratio [PTTR], 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–1.61). Similar seasonal trends were found for azithromycin (PTTR, 2.46; 95% CI, 2.44–3.47), amoxicillin (PTTR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.42–1.89), and amoxicillin/clavulanate (PTTR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.68–2.29).CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrates that annual national outpatient antibiotic prescribing practices remained unchanged during our study period. Furthermore, seasonal peaks in antibiotics generally used to treat viral upper respiratory tract infections remained unchanged during cold and influenza season. These results suggest that inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics remains widespread, despite the concurrent release of several guideline-based best practices intended to reduce inappropriate antibiotic consumption; however, further research linking national outpatient antibiotic prescriptions to associated medical conditions is needed to confirm these findings.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:584–589

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