CDC: Antibiotic Prescribing Is Improving, But More Is Needed

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on antibiotic prescribing and use in the United States. The report, “Antibiotic Use in the United States 2017; Progress and Opportunities,” addressed antibiotic prescribing and use in outpatient settings, nursing homes, and hospitals, and suggested several tools to help improve prescribing.

Antibiotic prescribing across the United States in outpatient settings like clinics, doctor’s offices, and emergency rooms has declined by 5% from 2011 to 2014. However, prescribing can still be improved depending on age group and geographic location. An estimated 30% of all antibiotics prescribed for outpatients are unnecessary, according to the CDC. Even when antibiotics are necessary, clinicians often prescribe drugs that may be less effective and carry more risk vs more targeted, first-line drugs recommended by national guidelines.
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A small study of 9 nursing homes conducted by the CDC demonstrated that 11% of nursing home residents were taking antibiotics on any single day, and that almost 40% of orders for antibiotics lacked important prescribing information. However, even with these findings, more data is needed to understand antibiotic use in nursing homes.

Between 2006 and 2012, the use of carbapenems in hospital settings increased by nearly 40%, and vancomycin use increased by 30%. Furthermore, current data suggests that nearly 30% of antibiotics used in hospitals are either unnecessary or prescribed incorrectly.

As part of its Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative, the CDC has suggested several tools and programs to help improve antibiotic prescribing and combat growing antibiotic resistance. Tools include the CDC’s Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship, National Quality Partners Playbook: Antibiotic Stewardship in Acute Care, National Healthcare Safety Network Antibiotic Use Option, The Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work program, and more.

“Improving the way we prescribe and use antibiotics, a concept referred to as ‘antibiotic stewardship,’ is critical for all healthcare settings,” the report stated. “When we optimize the treatment of infections, we protect patients from harm and combat antibiotic resistance.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Antibiotic use in the United States, 2017: progress and opportunities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/stewardship-report/. Accessed August 7, 2017.