Appropriately prescribing antibiotics for patients with pharyngitis: a physician-based approach vs a nurse-only triage and treatment algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and appropriateness of antibiotic use in adult patients with pharyngitis who opted for a nurse-only triage and treatment algorithm vs patients who underwent a physician-directed clinical evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes to query the electronic medical record database at our institution, a large multispecialty health care system in LaCrosse, WI, we identified adult patients diagnosed as having pharyngitis from September 1, 2005, through August 31, 2007. Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 4996 patients who sought treatment for pharyngitis, 3570 (71.5%) saw a physician and 1426 (28.5%) opted for the nurse-only triage and treatment algorithm. Physicians adhered to antibiotic-prescribing guidelines in 3310 (92.7%) of 3570 first visits, whereas nurses using the algorithm adhered to guidelines in 1422 (99.7%) of 1426 first visits (P<.001). Physicians were significantly less likely to follow guidelines at patients' subsequent visits for a single pharyngitis illness than at their initial one (92.7% [3310/3570] vs 83.7% [406/485]; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Instituting a simple nurse-only triage and treatment algorithm for patients presenting with pharyngitis appears to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

Antibiotic treatment duration and long-term outcomes of patients with early lyme disease from a lyme disease-hyperendemic area.

BACKGROUND: The length of antibiotic therapy and long-term outcomes in patients with early Lyme disease are incompletely described. We report the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with early localized and early disseminated Lyme disease based on the duration of antibiotic therapy prescribed. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study and follow-up survey of patients diagnosed as having early localized and early disseminated Lyme disease from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2004 was conducted in a Lyme disease-hyperendemic area. RESULTS: Six hundred seven patients met the study inclusion criteria. Most patients (93%) were treated with doxycycline for treatment durations of 10 days, 11-15 days, or 16 days in 17%, 33%, and 47% of doxycycline-treated patients, respectively. Treatment failure criteria, defined before performing the study, were met in only 6 patients (1%). Although these 6 patients met a priori treatment failure criteria, 4 of these patients' clinical details suggested reinfection, 1 was treated with an inappropriate antibiotic, and 1 developed facial palsy early in therapy. Reinfection developed in 4% of patients. The 2-year treatment failure-free survival rates of patients treated with antibiotics for 10 days, 11-15 days, or 16 days were 99.0%, 98.9%, and 99.2%, respectively. Patients treated with antibiotics for 16 days had lower 36-item Short-Form Health Survey social functioning scores on the follow-up survey. No other differences were found in follow-up clinical status or 36-item Short-Form Health Survey scores by duration of antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated for 10 days with antibiotic therapy for early Lyme disease have long-term outcomes similar to those of patients treated with longer courses. Treatment failure after appropriately targeted short-course therapy, if it occurs, is exceedingly rare.

Telephone-based management of lactation mastitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of care for mastitis managed by telephone without an office or emergency room visit. STUDY DESIGN: A word search of electronic medical records allowed for identification of patients managed with a mastitis clinical practice guideline. Comparisons of outcomes were made to a group of patients who received care in the clinic, urgent care or emergency room. RESULTS: Rates of successful resolution with 1 encounter were 86% for telephone-based care and 82% for visit-based care (p = 0.550). Antibiotic selection was enhanced by use of the standing order. CONCLUSION: Telephone-based management of mastitis may be safe, effective, and efficient.