Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii
09:17

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

Published on: January 2, 2017

Antibiotic prescription pattern for viral respiratory illness in emergency room and ambulatory care settings

M Nadeem Ahmed1, Maria M Muyot, Shahana Begum

  • 1Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA. nadeem.ahmed@carle.com

Clinical Pediatrics
|January 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic prescription rates for viral respiratory infections in children are high, particularly in emergency rooms and family practice settings. Pediatricians prescribe antibiotics less frequently for these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Antibiotic overuse contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
  • Viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs) are common in children.
  • Appropriate antibiotic prescribing for VRTIs is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess antibiotic prescription patterns for VRTIs in children.
  • To compare prescribing rates across different healthcare provider specialties.
  • To identify factors associated with antibiotic prescription for VRTIs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case review of 1200 child care visits for VRTIs in 2006.
  • Analysis of visits from primary care, convenient care clinics, and emergency rooms.
  • Comparison of antibiotic prescription rates based on diagnosis and provider type.

Main Results:

  • Overall antibiotic prescription rate was 30%.
  • Higher rates for bronchitis (3.7x) and viral pharyngitis (2.5x) compared to common cold.
  • Emergency physicians (OR=11.04) and family practitioners (OR=5.22) prescribed antibiotics more than pediatricians.

Conclusions:

  • Children in emergency rooms and family practitioner offices receive more antibiotics for VRTIs than those seen by pediatricians.
  • Prescribing practices vary significantly by healthcare setting and provider specialty.
  • This highlights a need for improved antibiotic stewardship in pediatric VRTIs.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases03:22

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases

Published on: March 1, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...