Effectiveness of interventions in reducing antibiotic use for upper respiratory infections in ambulatory care practices.

Vinnard C, Linkin DR, Localio AR, Leonard CE, Teal VL, Fishman NO, Hennessy S.

Source

Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, USA. christopher.vinnard@drexelmed.edu

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effect of separate interventions on antimicrobial prescribing for uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections. The authors conducted a quasi-experimental pre-post study with concurrent control groups for each intervention. Academic detailing led to a significant reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. However, there was no significant change in antibiotic prescribing in response to educational mailings to providers or to provider involvement in patient mailings. Organizations that seek to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics should use proven approaches, even when they are more expensive.