Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment for Acute Bronchitis/Bronchiolitis (AAB)

The percentage of episodes for persons 3 months of age and older with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis that did not result in an antibiotic dispensing event.

Why It Matters

Antibiotics are most often inappropriately prescribed for acute bronchitis1. Antibiotics are not indicated in clinical guidelines for treating with acute bronchitis who do not have a comorbidity or other infection for which antibiotics may be appropriate2 3. Inappropriate antibiotic treatment of patients with acute bronchitis is of clinical concern, especially since misuse and overuse of antibiotics lead to antibiotic drug resistance4. Acute bronchitis consistently ranks among the 10 conditions that account for most ambulatory office visits to U.S. physicians; furthermore, while the vast majority of acute bronchitis cases (more than 90%) have a nonbacterial cause, antibiotics are inappropriately prescribed 65%–80% of the time4 5.

Inappropriate antibiotic use can be addressed by reminding providers of clinical guideline recommendations and providing feedback about their prescribing behaviors. In addition, use of patient education interventions can discourage seeking antibiotics for viral conditions (such as the common cold), or without confirmatory tests such as group A strep test for pharyngitis.

Historical Results – National Averages

Get Access to the Historical Results

By completing the form below, you’ll gain free access to national performance data.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

References

  1. Gonzales, R., D.C. Malone, J.H. Maselli, M.A. Sande. 2001. “Excessive Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Infections in the United States.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 33:757–62
  2. Gonzales R., J.G. Bartlett, R.E. Besser, R.J. Cooper, J.M. Hickner, J.R. Hoffman, M.A. Sande. 2001. “Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults: Background, Specific Aims, and Methods.” Ann Intern Med 134 (6): 479–86.
  3. Gonzales R., J.G. Bartlett, R.E. Besser, J.M. Hickner, J.R. Hoffman, M.A. Sande, CDC. 2001. “Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Nonspecific Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults: Background.” Ann Intern Med 134:490–4.
  4. Steinman, M.A., A. Sauaia, J.H. Maselli, et al. 2004. “Office Evaluation and Treatment of Elderly Patients with Acute Bronchitis.” J Am Geriatr Soc 52:875–9.
  5. McCaig, L.F., R.E. Besser, J.M. Hughes. 2003. “Antimicrobial Drug Prescription in Ambulatory Care Settings, United States, 1992–2000.” Emerg Infect Dis Apr; 9(4):432–7.

  • Save
  • Email
  • Print