Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment in Adults with Acute Bronchitis
HEDIS® Measure: The percentage of adults 18-64 years of age with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis who were not dispensed an antibiotic prescription.
Antibiotics are most often inappropriately prescribed for healthy adults with bronchitis. This is of clinical concern because the misuse and overuse of antibiotics lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are not indicated in clinical guidelines for treating adults with acute bronchitis who do not have a comorbidity or other infection for which antibiotics may be appropriate.
Appropriate Treatment of Children with Upper Respiratory Infections
HEDIS® Measure: The percentage of children 3 month to 18 years of age who were given a single diagnosis of URI and were not dispensed an antibiotic prescription within 3 days of URI diagnosis.
The common cold (or URI) is a frequent reason for children visiting the doctor’s office. Though existing clinical guidelines do not support the use of antibiotics for the common cold, physicians often prescribe them for this ailment. Pediatric clinical practice guidelines do not recommend antibiotics for the majority of upper respiratory tract infections due to viral etiology of these infections, including the common cold.1
Physician Resources
Adult Appropriate Antibiotic Use Summary (pdf)
Viral Upper Respiratory Infection in Adults Clinical Guideline
Management of Pharyngitis Clinical Guideline
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otis Media Clinical Guideline
For more information contact Quality Improvement.
1 National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). HEDIS 2009: Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, Volume 1.