Quality Improvement of Antibiotic Stewardship in the Treatment of Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance rates continue to rise, in part due to the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics for the treatment of acute upper respiratory infections. This quality improvement project focused on increasing antibiotic stewardship in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in an urgent care clinic in eastern North Carolina through implementation of a provider behavioral change strategy. The behavioral change strategy, which was implemented over a twelve-week period and consisted of a provider educational session and public commitment, produced a clinically significant decrease in inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections. Improved antibiotic stewardship has the potential to avert adverse effects related to unnecessary antibiotic use and prevent multi-drug resistant infection-related illness and death, leading to enhanced patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.