Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Bronchiolitis in US Emergency Departments, 2007-2015

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2019 Dec 27;8(6):567-570. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piy131.

Abstract

One-fourth of patients with bronchiolitis seen in US emergency departments between 2007 and 2015 received antibiotics; 70% of them had no documented bacterial coinfection. Macrolides were prescribed in 38% of the cases. Antibiotic use did not decrease after national recommendations against routine prescribing. Efforts are needed to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate antibiotic use for bronchiolitis.

Keywords: antibiotics; bronchiolitis; children.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bronchiolitis / drug therapy*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Utilization
  • Emergency Service, Hospital*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing*
  • Infant
  • Macrolides / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • United States

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Macrolides