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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
Published on: March 1, 2024
A multifaceted intervention to improve antimicrobial prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections in a small
Michael A Rubin1, Kim Bateman, Stephen Alder
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Michael.Rubin@hsc.utah.edu
Background:
Antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) is widespread, is often inappropriate, and may contribute to antibiotic resistance among community-acquired pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Methods:
A multifaceted intervention involving health care professionals and patients was introduced to a small rural Utah community and included the repetitive use of printed diagnostic and treatment algorithms by professionals. Data on the quantity and class of antibiotic prescribing, which were collected from multiple sources, were measured for the intervention period (from January through June) in 2001 and compared with data for the baseline period during the same months in 2000.
Results:
Medicaid claims data revealed that the percentage of patients in the community who received antibiotics for URTIs during the intervention period was 15.6% less than that for the baseline period, whereas the percentage in the rest of rural Utah was relatively stable, with a 1.5% decrease (P=.006). The greatest impact of the intervention was on prescribing for acute bronchitis (decreases of 56.1% and 1.7% in the community and rural Utah, respectively; P=.024) and on prescribing of macrolides (decreases of 13.4% and 0.2% in the community and rural Utah, respectively; P<.001). Community pharmacy data likewise revealed a 17.5% decrease in the rate of antibiotic prescribing during the intervention period (P<.001), with the largest decrease observed for macrolide prescribing (50.9%; P<.001). Chart review data, in contrast, revealed no significant decrease in the percentage of patients with URTI who were prescribed an antibiotic (3.8%; P=.49), although there was a significant decrease of 11.2% in macrolide use (P=.045).
Conclusions:
A multifaceted intervention involving the repetitive use of printed algorithms resulted in modest improvements in antibiotic prescribing for outpatient URTIs, although one data source did not corroborate this. However, macrolide prescribing decreased sharply, irrespective of the source of data.
Insights
A study on antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections found that using treatment algorithms modestly reduced antibiotic use, particularly macrolides. This intervention showed potential for improving antibiotic stewardship in rural communities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) is common and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
- Pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae are a concern in community-acquired infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a multifaceted intervention aimed at improving antibiotic prescribing for URTIs in a rural community.
- To assess the impact of printed diagnostic and treatment algorithms on antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- A community-based intervention using printed algorithms for healthcare professionals and patients.
- Data on antibiotic prescribing quantity and class were collected from multiple sources (Medicaid claims, pharmacy data, chart reviews).
- Prescribing data from January-June 2001 (intervention) were compared to January-June 2000 (baseline).
Main Results:
- Medicaid data showed a 15.6% decrease in antibiotic prescribing for URTIs in the intervention community versus a 1.5% decrease in the rest of rural Utah.
- Significant reductions were observed for acute bronchitis prescribing (56.1%) and macrolide use (13.4%) in the intervention community.
- Community pharmacy data indicated a 17.5% decrease in overall antibiotic prescribing and a 50.9% decrease in macrolide prescribing.
Conclusions:
- A multifaceted intervention using algorithms led to modest improvements in outpatient antibiotic prescribing for URTIs.
- Macrolide prescribing decreased significantly across all data sources.
- While overall improvements were modest, the sharp decline in macrolide use suggests targeted benefits.
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