Evidence on Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing for Uncomplicated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Evidence on Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing for Uncomplicated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Evidence on Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing for Uncomplicated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

AHRQ’s latest clinician summary describes the evidence related to interventions to help practice managers, infection control, and other people making decisions at a health system or practice level to understand what interventions work to improve prescribing practices for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) such as acute bronchitis, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, sinusitis, and influenza. The clinician summary, Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing for Uncomplicated Acute RTIs, assesses available research on interventions such as point-of-care diagnostic tests, electronic decision support, and educational interventions to help improve communication between clinicians and patients. Judicious use of antibiotics contributes to the national priority to Combat Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Each year, two-million people are infected with antibiotic-resistance bacteria, causing 23,000 deaths. High outpatient consumption of antibiotics is a key factor in the increase of antibiotic resistance.  The clinician summary is based on a systematic review that included 133 unique studies published from 1990 to February 2015. The clinician summary and systematic review are available here.