Antimicrobial Overuse in Ambulatory and Emergency Settings
Emergency rooms and outpatient settings are often the first points of contact for patients with infectious diseases, and it is important to ensure that antibiotics are used appropriately. But, with the rush of patients and the sheer volume of people that come into and out of the emergency room or ambulatory clinics, prescribing the correct antibiotics in a timely manner can be a challenge.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Antibiotics can save lives, but any time antibiotics are used, they can cause side effects and contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. In U.S. doctors’ offices and emergency departments, at least 28% of antibiotic courses prescribed each year are unnecessary, which makes improving antibiotic prescribing and use a national priority.”1
Ambulatory and outpatient settings also see high levels of inappropriate antibiotic use:
- “Total inappropriate antibiotic use, inclusive of unnecessary use and inappropriate selection, dosing, and duration, may approach 50% of all outpatient antibiotic use.”2
- “An estimated 80–90% of the volume of human antibiotic use occurs in the outpatient setting.”2
This level of antimicrobial prescribing means that antimicrobial stewardship efforts can make a real difference in ambulatory settings and the emergency department.