scholarly journals 162. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Prescribing in Pediatric Primary Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S97-S98
Author(s):  
Lauren Dutcher ◽  
Yun Li ◽  
Giyoung Lee ◽  
Robert Grundmeier ◽  
Keith W Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Pediatric Primary Care ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pediatric primary care delivery changed rapidly. Prior studies have demonstrated a reduction in ambulatory encounters and antibiotic prescriptions with the pandemic onset; however, the durability of these reductions in pediatric primary care in the United States has not been assessed. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures (e.g. social distancing, masking, school closures, and increased availability of telemedicine) on antibiotic prescribing and encounter volume in 27 pediatric primary care practices, and the duration of these changes. Patients under age 19 with an encounter from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 were included. The primary outcome was monthly antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 patients, in the overall population and a subset of encounters with infectious diagnoses, including respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was performed. Results There were 60,562 total antibiotic prescriptions from April to December in 2019 and 14,605 antibiotic prescriptions during the same months in 2020, a 76% reduction. The reduction in RTI encounter prescriptions accounted for 91.5% of the overall reduction in prescriptions from 2019 to 2020. Using ITS analysis, there was an immediate decrease from 31.6 to 7.4 prescriptions/1000 patients (predicted means) in April 2020 (-24.2 prescriptions/1000 patients; 95% CI: -31.9, -16.4) (Figures 1 and 2). This was followed by a stable rate of antibiotic prescriptions that remained flat through December 2020. For RTI encounters, a similar pattern was seen, with a decrease by 21.8 prescriptions/1000 patients; 95% CI: -29.5, -14.2) (Figures 1 and 2). Encounter volume also decreased immediately, and while overall encounter volume began returning to a pre-pandemic baseline volume toward the end of the study period, RTI encounter volume remained persistently lower through December 2020 (Figure 3). Figure 1. Antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 patients prescribed by month from January 2018 to December 2020, overall and for disease-specific subgroups RTI = respiratory tract infection; UTI = urinary tract infection; SSTI = skin and soft tissue infection. Months are numbered sequentially, starting with January (number 1). Dashed line indicates first full month of the pandemic, April 2020. Interrupted time series analysis for antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 patients by month from January 2018 to December 2020 for (A) all antibiotics as well as antibiotics prescribed at encounters with (B) respiratory tract infections (RTIs), (C) urinary tract infections (UTIs), and (D) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) Intervention starts in April 2020 (dashed line). Months are numbered sequentially, starting with January (number 1). Dashed line indicates first full month of the pandemic, April 2020. Antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 billed encounters by month from January 2018 to December 2020 for (A) all encounters, as well as antibiotics prescribed at encounters with (B) respiratory tract infections (RTIs), (C) urinary tract infections (UTIs), and (D) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) Months are numbered sequentially, starting with January (number 1). Conclusion Dramatic reductions in antibiotic prescribing in pediatric primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic were sustained through 2020, primarily driven by reductions in RTI encounters. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Point-of-Care C-Reactive Protein Testing to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing for Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 610
Author(s):  
Nahara Anani Martínez-González ◽  
Ellen Keizer ◽  
Andreas Plate ◽  
Samuel Coenen ◽  
Fabio Valeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Tract Infections

C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) is increasingly being promoted to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and enhance antibiotic stewardship. In primary care, respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common reason for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, which is a major driver for antibiotic resistance. We systematically reviewed the available evidence on the impact of CRP-POCT on antibiotic prescribing for RTIs in primary care. Thirteen moderate to high-quality studies comprising 9844 participants met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses showed that CRP-POCT significantly reduced immediate antibiotic prescribing at the index consultation compared with usual care (RR 0.79, 95%CI 0.70 to 0.90, p = 0.0003, I2 = 76%) but not during 28-day (n = 7) follow-up. The immediate effect was sustained at 12 months (n = 1). In children, CRP-POCT reduced antibiotic prescribing when CRP (cut-off) guidance was provided (n = 2). Meta-analyses showed significantly higher rates of re-consultation within 30 days (n = 8, 1 significant). Clinical recovery, resolution of symptoms, and hospital admissions were not significantly different between CRP-POCT and usual care. CRP-POCT can reduce immediate antibiotic prescribing for RTIs in primary care (number needed to (NNT) for benefit = 8) at the expense of increased re-consultations (NNT for harm = 27). The increase in re-consultations and longer-term effects of CRP-POCT need further evaluation. Overall, the benefits of CRP-POCT outweigh the potential harms (NNTnet = 11).

scholarly journals Burden of disease in children with respiratory tract infections in primary care: diary-based cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-729
Author(s):  
M J C Schot ◽  
A R J Dekker ◽  
C H van Werkhoven ◽  
A W van der Velden ◽  
J W L Cals ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a common reason for children to consult in general practice. Antibiotics are often prescribed, in part due to miscommunication between parents and GPs. The duration of specific respiratory symptoms has been widely studied. Less is known about illness-related symptoms and the impact of these symptoms on family life, including parental production loss. Better understanding of the natural course of illness-related symptoms in RTI in children and impact on family life may improve GP–parent communication during RTI consultations. Objective To describe the general impact of RTI on children and parents regarding illness-related symptoms, absenteeism from childcare, school and work, use of health care facilities, and the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Methods Prospectively collected diary data from two randomized clinical trials in children with RTI in primary care (n = 149). Duration of symptoms was analysed using survival analysis. Results Disturbed sleep, decreased intake of food and/or fluid, feeling ill and/or disturbance at play or other daily activities are very common during RTI episodes, with disturbed sleep lasting longest. Fifty-two percent of the children were absent for one or more days from childcare or school, and 28% of mothers and 20% of fathers reported absence from work the first week after GP consultation. Re-consultation occurred in 48% of the children. OTC medication was given frequently, particularly paracetamol and nasal sprays. Conclusion Appreciation of, and communication about the general burden of disease on children and their parents, may improve understanding between GPs and parents consulting with their child.

scholarly journals Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in Dutch primary care in relation to patient age and clinical entities

2004 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1116-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemiek E. Akkerman ◽  
Johannes C. van der Wouden ◽  
Marijke M. Kuyvenhoven ◽  
Jeanne P. Dieleman ◽  
Theo J. M. Verheij
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Tract Infections

scholarly journals Antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in primary care: an updated and expanded meta-ethnography

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (674) ◽  
pp. e633-e645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evi Germeni ◽  
Julia Frost ◽  
Ruth Garside ◽  
Morwenna Rogers ◽  
Jose M Valderas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Acute Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Quality Improvement Interventions ◽  
Tract Infections

BackgroundReducing unnecessary prescribing remains a key priority for tackling the global rise of antibiotic-resistant infections.AimThe authors sought to update a 2011 qualitative synthesis of GPs’ experiences of antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs), including their views of interventions aimed at more prudent prescribing. They expanded the original scope to encompass all primary care professionals (PCPs) who can prescribe or dispense antibiotics for ARTIs (for example, nurses and pharmacists).Design and settingSystematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies.MethodA systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA, and Web of Science. No date or language restrictions were used. Identified studies were grouped according to their thematic focus (usual care versus intervention), and two separate syntheses were performed.ResultsIn all, 53 articles reporting the experiences of >1200 PCPs were included. Analysis of usual-care studies showed that PCPs tend to assume multiple roles in the context of ARTI consultations (the expert self, the benevolent self, the practical self), depending on the range of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual situations in which they find themselves. Analysis of intervention studies identified four possible ways in which PCPs may experience quality improvement interventions (compromise, ‘supportive aids’, source of distress, and unnecessary).ConclusionContrary to the original review, these results suggest that the use of the same intervention is experienced in a totally different way by different PCPs, and that the same elements that are perceived as benefits by some could be viewed as drawbacks by others. Acceptability of interventions is likely to increase if these are context sensitive and take into account PCPs’ varying roles and changing priorities.

scholarly journals 2067. Improving Outpatient Antimicrobial Prescribing for Respiratory Tract Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S696-S697
Author(s):  
Lauren S Dutcher ◽  
Kathleen Degnan ◽  
Ebbing Lautenbach ◽  
David A Pegues ◽  
Michael Z David ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Ambulatory Setting ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Stepped Wedge ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescribing ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Tier 3 ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Antimicrobial stewardship often focuses on inpatients, yet inappropriate antimicrobial use is common in the outpatient setting. We performed a prospective, stepped wedge interventional study to assess the impact of an educational and feedback-based intervention on prescribing practices for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in the adult primary care ambulatory setting. Methods Family and internal medicine practices were randomly placed into 6 cohorts, which received the intervention in a stepped wedge fashion at monthly intervals. The study period was July 1, 2016 to October 31, 2018, with the intervention occurring from October 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018. The intervention consisted of a 20-minute in-person educational session on appropriate antimicrobial prescribing for RTIs followed by monthly feedback to individual providers on their proportion of antibiotic prescriptions in comparison to their peers for (1) visits with a primary diagnosis of any RTI and (2) visits with a primary diagnosis of an RTI for which an antibiotic should rarely be prescribed (tier 3 diagnoses). The outcome of interest was whether an antibiotic was prescribed in RTI visits. Chi squared testing and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results Thirty-two practices participated, with 197,814 unique visits with a primary RTI diagnosis. Of these, 141,888 (71.7%) were physician visits and 55,926 (28.3%) were advanced practitioner visits (Figure 1). The proportion of visits with antibiotic prescriptions dropped from 37.2% to 24.0% following the intervention (P < 0.0001). Antibiotic prescriptions were significantly reduced for all primary RTI visits, OR 0.53 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.54), as well as for visits with tier 3 RTI diagnoses, OR 0.64 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.68). The proportion of visits with antibiotic prescriptions also exhibited a marked seasonal variation, another finding of the study (Figure 2). Conclusion An educational intervention with provider feedback successfully reduced antibiotic prescribing for RTIs in the ambulatory setting. Additional study is necessary to assess the sustainability of response over time after discontinuation of the monthly feedback. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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