Preventive Antibiotic Use in Nursing Homes: A Not Uncommon Reason for Antibiotic Overprescribing

A substantial portion of "potentially inappropriate" systemic antibiotics in nursing homes are prescribed with the intention of preventing the development of bacterial infections. In the past, such practices were generally considered acceptable; however, they now are being increasingly scrutinized due to concerns about limited benefits and the potential for adverse effects, including contributing to antimicrobial resistance. As a result of these issues and because of the frequency of these practices, unnecessary prophylactic antibiotic use is an appropriate target for antibiotic stewardship practices. However, a challenge toward this end is the limited number of definitive studies involving nursing home residents, with most existing recommendations being based on expert opinion. This report reviews the common situations when systemic administration of antibiotics is used for prophylactic purposes and provides operational definitions and recommendations for providers. The preventive practices discussed include (1) long-term antibiotic use to prevent recurrent urinary infections, (2) antibiotic treatment of acute bronchitis to prevent bacterial pneumonia, (3) antibiotic treatment of acute sinusitis to prevent bacterial superinfection, (4) daily or intermittent therapy of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to prevent exacerbations or hospitalization, (5) antibiotic treatment to prevent skin or soft tissue infections in a person with recurrent cellulitis, (6) antibiotic treatment at the time of dental work to prevent endocarditis, and (7) antibiotic treatment at the time of dental work to prevent bacterial infection of artificial joints. In each of these situations, medical providers are encouraged to consult the most recent guidelines and to weigh risks and benefits before writing a "prophylactic" prescription. In addition, researchers are encouraged to examine the preventive use of antibiotics in nursing home populations, given the paucity of research conducted in this area.