Antibiotic guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia: Are they effective and do physicians comply?

Maria Amodio-Groton, Mark J. Sinnett, Darren Culshaw, Ira M. Leviton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Antibiotic guidelines for common infectious diseases, including community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), were instituted at the Moses Division of Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY. The effect of these guidelines on antibiotic prescribing by physicians and on clinical response in patients with CAP was measured. The study was conducted in 2 phases. In phase I, baseline data for 51 randomly selected inpatients were gathered. In phase II, physician compliance with guidelines was measured for 47 patients. Demographic information, Fine score, antibiotic therapy, time to initiation of antibiotic, blood and sputum culture results, time receiving intravenous antibiotics, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) were measured. Data from phases I and II were compared, and these data were compared with a national benchmark database of 3504 patients. Antibiotic guidelines were found to improve the initial selection of antibiotics for patients requiring hospitalization for CAP, decrease time to initiation of treatment, decrease duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy, and decrease duration of hospital LOS. Antibiotic use was affected by the severity of underlying pneumonia in the population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)40-46
Number of pages7
JournalDrug Benefit Trends
Volume15
Issue number8
StatePublished - Aug 1 2003

Keywords

  • Antibiotic guidelines
  • Community-acquired pneumonia
  • Empiric treatment
  • Length of stay

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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