Using machine learning to examine drivers of inappropriate outpatient antibiotic prescribing in acute respiratory illnesses.

Using a machine-learning model, we examined drivers of antibiotic prescribing for antibiotic-inappropriate acute respiratory illnesses in a large US claims data set. Antibiotics were prescribed in 11% of the 42 million visits in our sample. The model identified outpatient setting type, patient age mix, and state as top drivers of prescribing.

Trends in US Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to describe trends in US outpatient antibiotic prescriptions from January through May 2020 and compare with trends in previous years (2017-2019). METHODS: We used data from the IQVIA Total Patient Tracker to estimate the monthly number of patients dispensed antibiotic prescriptions from retail pharmacies from January 2017 through May 2020. We averaged estimates from 2017 through 2019 and defined expected seasonal change as the average percent change from January to May 2017-2019. We calculated percentage point and volume changes in the number of patients dispensed antibiotics from January to May 2020 exceeding expected seasonal changes. We also calculated average percent change in number of patients dispensed antibiotics per month in 2017-2019 versus 2020. Data were analyzed overall and by agent, class, patient age, state, and prescriber specialty. RESULTS: From January to May 2020, the number of patients dispensed antibiotic prescriptions decreased from 20.3 to 9.9 million, exceeding seasonally expected decreases by 33 percentage points and 6.6 million patients. The largest changes in 2017-2019 versus 2020 were observed in April (-39%) and May (-42%). The number of patients dispensed azithromycin increased from February to March 2020 then decreased. Overall, beyond-expected decreases were greatest among children (≤19 years) and agents used for respiratory infections, dentistry, and surgical prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: From January 2020 to May 2020, the number of outpatients with antibiotic prescriptions decreased substantially more than would be expected because of seasonal trends alone, possibly related to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and associated mitigation measures.

Perceptions of the Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics Among Adult Patients and Parents With High Antibiotic Utilization.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic use is common. Understanding how patients view antibiotic risks and/or benefits could inform development of patient education materials and clinician communication strategies. We explored current knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to antibiotics among populations with high antibiotic use. METHODS: We conducted 12 focus groups with adult patients and parents across the United States by telephone in March 2017. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants with high antibiotic use. We transcribed the discussions verbatim and performed thematic analysis. RESULTS: We identified 4 major themes. First, participants expressed uncertainty regarding which clinical syndromes required antibiotics, and emotion often influenced their desire for antibiotics. Second, they had a limited understanding of antibiotic risks. Antibiotic resistance was viewed as the primary risk but was seen as a "distant, future" issue, whereas immediate adverse events, such as side effects, were minimized; however, patients expressed concern when told about the risk of serious adverse events. Third, they prioritized antibiotic benefits over risks in their decision-making, both due to an inaccurate estimation of antibiotic risks and/or benefits and a tendency to prioritize instant gratification. Fourth, most participants were willing to defer to their clinicians' decisions about antibiotics, especially if their clinician provided symptomatic treatment and anticipatory guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Patients have a limited understanding of antibiotic risks, potentially explaining why they are willing to try antibiotics even if it is unclear antibiotics will help. Educating patients on the potential antibiotic risks versus benefits, rather than just antibiotic resistance, may have a bigger impact on their decision-making.

Antibiotic and opioid prescribing for dental-related conditions in emergency departments: United States, 2012 through 2014.

BACKGROUND: Patients visiting the emergency department (ED) for nontraumatic dental conditions usually receive nondefinitive health care and are referred to treatment elsewhere. This may lead to potentially avoidable antibiotic and opioid use. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in IBM MarketScan Research Databases in Treatment Pathways from 2012 through 2014. This study included patients with commercial insurance or enrolled in Medicaid. Patients receiving a diagnosis of a dental condition in the ED with no secondary diagnosis warranting an antibiotic prescription were included. Patients were stratified on the basis of the primary payer and available demographics, as well as on the basis of repeat visits to the ED. RESULTS: A higher proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries (280,410, 4.9%) had dental-related visits compared with the commercially insured (159,066, 1.3%). The most common diagnoses were similar for both groups and included caries. In both cohorts, the 18- through 34-year age group had the highest rate of dental-related ED visits. Within 7 days of a dental-related ED visit, 54.9% of Medicaid beneficiaries and 55.0% of commercially insured beneficiaries filled a prescription for an antibiotic and 39.6% of Medicaid patients and 42.0% of commercially insured patients filled an opioid prescription. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics and opioids are frequently prescribed during ED visits for dental conditions. Access to preventive and acute oral health care for routine dental symptoms, such as caries, may reduce unnecessary prescriptions in both the commercially insured and Medicaid beneficiary populations. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Treatment of dental conditions in the ED often indicates a lack of access to preventive or acute oral health care. Data-driven solutions, such as guideline implementation, could improve oral health access, reduce medication-related harms, and avert health care expenditures.

Changes in US Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions From 2011-2016.

BACKGROUND: While antibiotics are life-saving drugs, their use is not without risk, including adverse events and antibiotic resistance. The majority of US antibiotic prescriptions are prescribed in outpatient settings, making outpatient antibiotic prescribing an important antibiotic stewardship target. The primary objective of this study was to describe trends in US outpatient oral antibiotic prescriptions from 2011-2016. METHODS: We estimated annual oral antibiotic prescription rates using national prescription dispensing count data from IQVIA Xponent, divided by census estimates for 2011-2016. We calculated the ratio of broad- to narrow-spectrum prescriptions by dividing broad-spectrum prescription rates by narrow-spectrum prescription rates. We used Poisson models to estimate prevalence rate ratios, comparing 2011 and 2016 antibiotic prescription rates, and linear models to evaluate temporal trends throughout the study period. RESULTS: Oral antibiotic prescription rates decreased 5%, from 877 prescriptions per 1000 persons in 2011 to 836 per 1000 persons in 2016. During this period, rates of prescriptions dispensed to children decreased 13%, while adult rates increased 2%. The ratio of broad- to narrow-spectrum antibiotics decreased from 1.62 in 2011 to 1.49 in 2016, driven by decreases in macrolides and fluoroquinolones. The proportion of prescriptions written by nurse practitioners and physician assistants increased during the study period; in 2016, these providers prescribed over one-quarter of all antibiotic prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient antibiotic prescription rates, especially of broad-spectrum agents, have decreased in recent years. Clinicians who prescribe to adults, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are important targets for antibiotic stewardship.

Antibiotic Prescriptions Associated With Dental-Related Emergency Department Visits.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The frequency of antibiotic prescribing and types of antibiotics prescribed for dental conditions presenting to the emergency department (ED) is not well known. The objective of this study is to quantify how often and which dental diagnoses made in the ED resulted in an antibiotic prescription. METHODS: From 2011 to 2015, there were an estimated 2.2 million (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9 to 2.5 million) ED visits per year for dental-related conditions, which accounted for 1.6% (95% CI 1.5% to 1.7%) of ED visits. This is based on an unweighted 2,125 observations from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey in which a dental-related diagnosis was made. RESULTS: An antibiotic, most often a narrow-spectrum penicillin or clindamycin, was prescribed in 65% (95% CI 61% to 68%) of ED visits with any dental diagnosis. The most common dental diagnoses for all ages were unspecified disorder of the teeth and supporting structures (44%; 95% CI 41% to 48%; International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification[ICD-9-CM] code 525.9), periapical abscess without sinus (21%; 95% CI 18% to 25%; ICD-9-CM code 522.5), and dental caries (18%; 95% CI 15% to 22%; ICD-9-CM code 521.0). Recommended treatments for these conditions are usually dental procedures rather than antibiotics. CONCLUSION: The common use of antibiotics for dental conditions in the ED may indicate the need for greater access to both preventive and urgent care from dentists and other related specialists as well as the need for clearer clinical guidance and provider education related to oral infections.

Characteristics of Primary Care Physicians Associated With High Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing Volume.

Our objective was to identify characteristics associated with high-volume antibiotic prescribing among office-based primary care physicians to target antibiotic stewardship efforts. Physicians aged 40 years and older who were male, located in the South, and in solo or 2-physician practices prescribed higher volumes of antibiotics than their peers by specialty.

Photopolymerization kinetics of methyl methacrylate with reactive and inert nanogels.

The enhanced in situ photopolymerization kinetics of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) through the incorporation of both inert and reactive nanogel (NG) fillers under ambient conditions has been demonstrated. In addition to the polymerization kinetics, the physical and chemical properties of the prepolymeric NG were also utilized to tune the thermoplasticity and mechanical properties of the PMMA polymer network. The protocol followed in this study imparts superior MMA photopolymerization kinetics (≥ 60% double-bond conversion within 15 min for > 35 wt% nanogel loadings and ≥ 95% double-bond conversion in < 60 min for all NG concentrations) when compared with traditional polymerization mechanisms. PMMA remained a glassy material following the incorporation of both inert and reactive NG as demonstrated by the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the ultimate networks. Network linearity is uncompromised following incorporation of inert NG additives, thereby preserving the thermoplasticity of the PMMA network. As the non-functionalized, inert NG content increases, the maintenance of thermoplasticity occurs at the expense of mechanical properties (10× reduction of maximum strength at 25 wt% loading). These effects are less pronounced when reactive nanogels are employed (no significant reduction of maximum strength at 25 wt% loading with minimal crosslinking). The incorporation of NGs enable high chemical tunability within linear polymer networks. Given the wide range of monomers available for the synthesis of NGs, the methodology detailed in this study offers a scheme for the optimization of linear networks for specific targeted applications, hitherto deemed unrealistic under established polymerization protocols.

Antibiotic Expenditures by Medication, Class, and Healthcare Setting in the United States, 2010-2015.

Background: Improving antibiotic use has the potential to decrease healthcare costs by reducing the incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections, antibiotic-associated adverse events, and expenditures due to unnecessary prescriptions. Antibiotic expenditures in 2009 totaled $10.7 billion in the United States. Since then, national and local antibiotic stewardship initiatives have grown. The purpose of this study was to assess trends in antibiotic expenditures by healthcare setting in the United States between 2010 and 2015. Methods: Systemic (nontopical) antibiotic expenditures from January 2010 to December 2015 were extracted from the QuintilesIMS National Sales Perspectives database. These data represent a statistically valid projection of US medication purchases. Regression analyses evaluated trends in expenditures over the study period. Results: Antibiotic expenditures totaled $56.0 billion over the 6-year period; the majority (59.1%) of expenditures were associated with the outpatient setting. Overall antibiotic expenditures in 2015 ($8.8 billion) were 16.6% lower than in 2010 ($10.6 billion). Antibiotic expenditures similarly decreased in the community by 25.5% (P = .05), but outpatient clinics and mail service pharmacy expenditures experienced significant growth (148% and 67% increase, respectively; P < .01 for both). In 2015, 16.5% of antibiotic expenditures in the community were for parenteral formulations, an increase of 25%. Conclusions: From 2010 to 2015, antibiotic expenditures decreased. The majority of antibiotic expenditures were in the outpatient setting, specifically community pharmacies. Expenditures for intravenous agents in the community are increasing and may represent increased use. These results reinforce the importance of antibiotic stewardship efforts across the spectrum of healthcare.

Variations in Antibiotic and Azithromycin Prescribing for Children by Geography and Specialty-United States, 2013.

BACKGROUND: Using antibiotics appropriately is critical to slow spread of antibiotic resistance, a major public health problem. Children, especially young children, receive more antibiotics than other age groups. Our objective was to describe antibiotic use in children in the United States and use of azithromycin, which is recommended infrequently for pediatric conditions. METHODS: We used QuintilesIMS Xponent 2013 data to calculate the number and rate of oral antibiotic prescriptions for children by age (0-2, 3-9 and 10-19 years) and agent. We used log-binomial regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals to determine if specialty and patient age were associated with azithromycin selection when an antibiotic was prescribed. RESULTS: In 2013, 66.8 million antibiotics were prescribed to US children ≤19 years of age (813 antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children). Amoxicillin and azithromycin were the 2 most commonly prescribed agents (23.1 million courses, 35% of all antibiotics; 12.2 million, 18%, respectively). Most antibiotics for children were prescribed by pediatricians (39%) and family practitioners (15%). Family practitioners were more likely to select azithromycin when an antibiotic was prescribed in all age groups than pediatricians (for children 0-2 years of age: prevalence ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.78-1.80; 3-9 years: 1.40, 1.40-1.40 and 10-19 years: 1.18, 1.18-1.18). CONCLUSION: Despite infrequent pediatric recommendations, variations in pediatric azithromycin use may suggest inappropriate antibiotic selection. Public health interventions focused on improving antibiotic selection in children as well as reducing antibiotic overuse are needed.

Antibiotic prescribing by general dentists in the United States, 2013.

BACKGROUND: Dentists prescribe approximately 10% of outpatient antibiotics, but little is known about dentists' antibiotic prescribing patterns. The authors conducted a study to characterize prescribing by dentists according to antibiotic agent and category, patient demographic characteristics, and geographic region in the United States. METHODS: The authors identified oral antibiotic prescriptions dispensed during 2013 in the Xponent (QuintilesIMS) database. The authors used the total number of prescriptions and county-level census population denominators to calculate prescribing rates. In addition, the authors analyzed prescribing according to individual agent, drug category, and patient demographic characteristics and the total number of prescriptions calculated for general dentists overall. RESULTS: Dentists prescribed 24.5 million courses of antibiotics in 2013, a prescribing rate of 77.5 prescriptions per 1,000 people. Penicillins were the most commonly prescribed antibiotic category. Dentists prescribed most antibiotics for adults older than 19 years. The Northeast census region had the highest prescribing rate per 1,000 people. The District of Columbia had the highest prescribing rate of 99.5 per 1,000 people, and Delaware had the lowest prescribing rate of 50.7 per 1,000 people. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists prescribe large quantities of antibiotics in outpatient settings, and there is considerable geographic variability. Additional study is needed to better understand the reasons for this variability and identify areas of possible intervention and improvement. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Continued efforts to combat antibiotic resistance will require all prescribers, including dentists, to examine prescribing behaviors for appropriateness and the effectiveness of guidelines to identify opportunities to optimize antibiotic use.

Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship.

The Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship provides a framework for antibiotic stewardship for outpatient clinicians and facilities that routinely provide antibiotic treatment. This report augments existing guidance for other clinical settings. In 2014 and 2015, respectively, CDC released the Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs and the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes. Antibiotic stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. Improving antibiotic prescribing involves implementing effective strategies to modify prescribing practices to align them with evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management. The four core elements of outpatient antibiotic stewardship are commitment, action for policy and practice, tracking and reporting, and education and expertise. Outpatient clinicians and facility leaders can commit to improving antibiotic prescribing and take action by implementing at least one policy or practice aimed at improving antibiotic prescribing practices. Clinicians and leaders of outpatient clinics and health care systems can track antibiotic prescribing practices and regularly report these data back to clinicians. Clinicians can provide educational resources to patients and families on appropriate antibiotic use. Finally, leaders of outpatient clinics and health systems can provide clinicians with education aimed at improving antibiotic prescribing and with access to persons with expertise in antibiotic stewardship. Establishing effective antibiotic stewardship interventions can protect patients and improve clinical outcomes in outpatient health care settings.

Antibiotic prescriptions in the community by type of provider in the United States, 2005-2010.

OBJECTIVES: Although antibiotic prescriptions are decreasing in the United States, broad-spectrum prescribing is increasing. It is unknown if decreases observed in national antibiotic prescribing differ by provider group. Understanding prescribing trends over time by provider group can be helpful for customizing antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to describe outpatient antibiotic prescribing by provider group overall and adjusted for population and number of providers. In addition, trends in prescribing by class and seasonal variation are described by provider group over 6 years. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observation of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A population-level analysis of U.S. prescribing from 2005 to 2010 with the use of the IMS Health Xponent dataset. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and rates of prescriptions dispensed overall and by provider group. RESULTS: The majority (81.0%) of antibiotics were prescribed by physicians, followed by dentists (10.4%), nurse practitioners (NPs; 4.5%), and physician assistants (PAs; 4.2%). The percentage of antibiotic prescriptions decreased for physicians, but increased significantly for NPs and PAs. Provider-based and population-based prescribing rates decreased for physicians and dentists and increased for NPs and PAs. Penicillins were prescribed most frequently by all provider groups, decreasing for physicians and dentists. Increased prescribing of broad-spectrum agents was observed for NPs and PAs. With the exception of dentists, antibiotic prescriptions were higher in winter than in summer, with the largest seasonal increase by NPs. CONCLUSION: Over 6 years, antibiotic prescriptions overall and for broad-spectrum agents decreased for physicians and increased for NPs and PAs. Thus, increasing trends in the US of broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions can be attributed to midlevel providers. Interventions should be designed to reverse increasing prescribing trends, especially of broad-spectrum agents prescribed by NPs and PAs. Stewardship efforts should also be targeted towards dentists, since this group prescribes a higher proportion of antibiotics compared with midlevel providers.

Variation in US outpatient antibiotic prescribing quality measures according to health plan and geography.

OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic prescribing has become increasingly viewed as an issue related to patient safety and quality of care. The objective of this study was to better understand the differences between health plan reporting and the geographic variation seen in quality measures related to antibiotic use. STUDY DESIGN: We focused on 3 measures from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) related to antibiotic prescribing and testing to guide antibiotic prescribing. METHODS: We analyzed data for 3 relevant measures for the years 2008 to 2012, including only commercial health plans. We analyzed the following 3 HEDIS measures: 1) "Appropriate Testing for Children With Pharyngitis," 2) "Appropriate Treatment for Children With Upper Respiratory Infections," and 3) "Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment in Adults With Acute Bronchitis." RESULTS: Out of these 3 measures, health plans consistently performed poorly on the adult bronchitis measure. Performance was better on the 2 measures focused on the pediatric population. We also saw geographic variation between measures when looking at Census divisions across all years. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation between individual health plan performance on the measures related to antibiotic use. Geographic differences were also observed on these measures, with health plans in the South Central Census division performing worse than other parts of the country. Stakeholders, such as public health, advocacy groups, foundations, and professional societies, interested in improving the quality of care that patients receive related to antibiotic use in the outpatient setting should consider how existing measures and working with health plans could be used to improve prescribing.

Prevalence of Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescriptions Among US Ambulatory Care Visits, 2010-2011.

IMPORTANCE: The National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria set a goal of reducing inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use by 50% by 2020, but the extent of inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the rates of outpatient oral antibiotic prescribing by age and diagnosis, and the estimated portions of antibiotic use that may be inappropriate in adults and children in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Using the 2010-2011 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, annual numbers and population-adjusted rates with 95% confidence intervals of ambulatory visits with oral antibiotic prescriptions by age, region, and diagnosis in the United States were estimated. EXPOSURES: Ambulatory care visits. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Based on national guidelines and regional variation in prescribing, diagnosis-specific prevalence and rates of total and appropriate antibiotic prescriptions were determined. These rates were combined to calculate an estimate of the appropriate annual rate of antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 population. RESULTS: Of the 184,032 sampled visits, 12.6% of visits (95% CI, 12.0%-13.3%) resulted in antibiotic prescriptions. Sinusitis was the single diagnosis associated with the most antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 population (56 antibiotic prescriptions [95% CI, 48-64]), followed by suppurative otitis media (47 antibiotic prescriptions [95% CI, 41-54]), and pharyngitis (43 antibiotic prescriptions [95% CI, 38-49]). Collectively, acute respiratory conditions per 1000 population led to 221 antibiotic prescriptions (95% CI, 198-245) annually, but only 111 antibiotic prescriptions were estimated to be appropriate for these conditions. Per 1000 population, among all conditions and ages combined in 2010-2011, an estimated 506 antibiotic prescriptions (95% CI, 458-554) were written annually, and, of these, 353 antibiotic prescriptions were estimated to be appropriate antibiotic prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In the United States in 2010-2011, there was an estimated annual antibiotic prescription rate per 1000 population of 506, but only an estimated 353 antibiotic prescriptions were likely appropriate, supporting the need for establishing a goal for outpatient antibiotic stewardship.

Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Antibiotic Use Among Adult Consumers, Adult Hispanic Consumers, and Health Care Providers--United States, 2012-2013.

Appropriate antibiotic use, in particular avoidance of antibiotics for upper respiratory infections likely to be caused by viruses, is a key component of efforts to slow the increase in antibiotic-resistant infections. Studies suggest that Hispanic consumers might differ from non-Hispanic consumers in their knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic use (4). To better understand health care provider and consumer knowledge and attitudes that influence antibiotic use, CDC analyzed national internet survey data collected from participants living in the United States during 2012-2013. The participants represented three groups: 1) the total population of adult consumers (all ethnicities); 2) adult Hispanic consumers; and 3) health care providers. Hispanic consumers were more likely than all consumers to believe that if they have a cold, antibiotics would help them to get better more quickly (48% versus 25%), and more likely to obtain antibiotics not prescribed by a clinician, such as antibiotics left over from a previous illness (25% versus 9%), obtained from a neighborhood grocery store (23% versus 5%), or obtained from a friend or family member (17% versus 6%). Most providers surveyed (54%) reported that they believed their patients expect antibiotics during visits for a cough or cold, whereas 26% of all consumers reported this expectation. To maximize knowledge about appropriate antibiotic use among outpatients in the United States, public health initiatives should target Hispanic as well as general audiences.

US outpatient antibiotic prescribing variation according to geography, patient population, and provider specialty in 2011.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate antibiotic prescribing is an essential strategy to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance. US prescribing practices have not been thoroughly characterized. We analyzed outpatient antibiotic prescribing data to identify where appropriate antibiotic prescribing interventions could have the most impact. METHODS: Oral antibiotic prescriptions dispensed during 2011 were extracted from the IMS Health Xponent database. The number of prescriptions and census denominators were used to calculate prescribing rates. Prescription totals were calculated for each provider specialty. Regression modeling was used to examine the association between socioeconomic and population health factors and prescribing rates. RESULTS: Healthcare providers prescribed 262.5 million courses of antibiotics in 2011(842 prescriptions per 1000 persons). Penicillins and macrolides were the most common antibiotic categories prescribed. The most commonly prescribed individual antibiotic agent was azithromycin. Family practitioners prescribed the most antibiotic courses (24%). The prescribing rate was higher in the South census region (931 prescriptions per 1000 persons) than in the West (647 prescriptions per 1000 persons; P < .001); this pattern was observed among all age groups, including children ≤ 2 and persons ≥ 65 years of age. Counties with a high proportion of obese persons, infants and children ≤ 2 years of age, prescribers per capita, and females were more likely to be high prescribing by multivariable analysis (adjusted odds ratio, >1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to characterize antibiotic prescribing practices should focus on the South census region and family practitioners. Further understanding of the factors leading to high prescribing among key target populations will inform appropriate prescribing interventions.

Can Improving Knowledge of Antibiotic-Associated Adverse Drug Events Reduce Parent and Patient Demand for Antibiotics?

BACKGROUND: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 2 million people are infected and 23,000 die each year in the United States as a result of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Antibiotic use is the most important factor contributing to antibiotic resistance and overuse is common, especially for upper respiratory tract infections. There is a perception among the public, as well as some health care providers, that antibiotics are harmless. We conducted formative research to explore patient and parent knowledge and attitudes relating to antibiotic use and adverse drug events (ADEs). METHODS: Six computer-assisted telephone focus groups were conducted in October and November 2010 with adult patients and mothers of young children. The focus groups were developed to engage participants in discussion about their knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic resistance and ADEs associated with antibiotic use. RESULTS: Nearly all mothers were familiar with the possibility of "side effects" with prescription medications, including antibiotics. However, very few mothers were familiar with severe antibiotic-associated ADEs and nearly all felt strongly that this information should be shared with parents at the time a prescription is recommended or written for their child. Adult participants did not believe that the potential for ADEs was a significant issue for adults and most reported never discussing the potential for adverse events with their provider. CONCLUSIONS: Parents were receptive to appropriate antibiotic use messaging around ADEs. We learned that ADE messages did not resonate with adults in the same way they did with mothers of young children.

Effects of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care providers on antibiotic selection, United States.

Appropriate selection of antibiotic drugs is critical to optimize treatment of infections and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. To better inform public health efforts to improve prescribing of antibiotic drugs, we conducted in-depth interviews with 36 primary care providers in the United States (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) to explore knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices regarding antibiotic drug resistance and antibiotic drug selection for common infections. Participants were generally familiar with guideline recommendations for antibiotic drug selection for common infections, but did not always comply with them. Reasons for nonadherence included the belief that nonrecommended agents are more likely to cure an infection, concern for patient or parent satisfaction, and fear of infectious complications. Providers inconsistently defined broad- and narrow-spectrum antibiotic agents. There was widespread concern for antibiotic resistance; however, it was not commonly considered when selecting therapy. Strategies to encourage use of first-line agents are needed in addition to limiting unnecessary prescribing of antibiotic drugs.