Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in pediatric ambulatory care visits for bronchitis and bronchiolitis in the United States, 2006-2015

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2021 May;42(5):612-615. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.1231. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

Abstract

Antibiotics are not indicated for the treatment of bronchitis and bronchiolitis. Using a nationally representative database from 2006-2015, we found that antibiotics were prescribed in 58% of outpatient visits for bronchitis and bronchiolitis in children, serving as a possible baseline for the expanded HEDIS 2020 measure regarding antibiotic prescribing for bronchitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchiolitis* / drug therapy
  • Bronchiolitis* / epidemiology
  • Bronchitis* / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Drug Utilization
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / drug therapy
  • United States

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents