BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have suggested that antibiotics are often inappropriately used in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). This study examined antibiotic use for adult URIs in a large national network of offices that use electronic health records (EHRs). METHODS: Using the Medical Quality Improvement Consortium (MQIC) database, URI episodes were identified for patients ages 18 to 65 years from January 1, 1998, to March 31, 2003. The percentage of episodes for which antibiotics were prescribed and the proportion of antibiotics that were broad spectrum were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 52,135 URI episodes identified, 65% received antibiotics. Antibiotics were prescribed for 78% of acute bronchitis episodes, 65% of acute pharyngitis episodes, 81% of acute sinusitis episodes, and 33% of nonspecific URI episodes. The proportion of antibiotics that were broad spectrum was 56% for all URI episodes, 68% for acute bronchitis, 55% for acute sinusitis and nonspecific URI, and 40% for pharyngitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates overuse of antibiotics for adult URIs in a large national ambulatory care network, with particular overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study also illustrates the enormous potential of EHR data for conducting practice-based research across large national office networks.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have suggested that antibiotics are often inappropriately used in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). This study examined antibiotic use for adult URIs in a large national network of offices that use electronic health records (EHRs). METHODS: Using the Medical Quality Improvement Consortium (MQIC) database, URI episodes were identified for patients ages 18 to 65 years from January 1, 1998, to March 31, 2003. The percentage of episodes for which antibiotics were prescribed and the proportion of antibiotics that were broad spectrum were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 52,135 URI episodes identified, 65% received antibiotics. Antibiotics were prescribed for 78% of acute bronchitis episodes, 65% of acute pharyngitis episodes, 81% of acute sinusitis episodes, and 33% of nonspecific URI episodes. The proportion of antibiotics that were broad spectrum was 56% for all URI episodes, 68% for acute bronchitis, 55% for acute sinusitis and nonspecific URI, and 40% for pharyngitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates overuse of antibiotics for adult URIs in a large national ambulatory care network, with particular overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study also illustrates the enormous potential of EHR data for conducting practice-based research across large national office networks.
Authors: Melissa A Pynnonen; Shana Lynn; Hayley E Kern; Sarah J Novis; Sarah R Akkina; Nahid R Keshavarzi; Matthew M Davis Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2015-05-22 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: James M Gill; Arch G Mainous; Richelle J Koopman; Marty S Player; Charles J Everett; Ying Xia Chen; James J Diamond; Michael I Lieberman Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2011 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Amber K Sabbatini; Jon C Tilburt; Eric G Campbell; Robert D Sheeler; Jason S Egginton; Susan D Goold Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2014-05-29 Impact factor: 5.128