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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 2 of 2 Research Studies DisplayedUlrich RJ, McClung D, Wang BR
Introduction of procalcitonin testing and antibiotic utilization for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This study measured the amount of procalcitonin testing (PCT) done for hospital inpatients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). PCT tests for presence of bacterial infection, which the majority of AECOPD inpatients did not have. Out of 238 AECOPD admissions, 31% had PCT performed. The patients who were tested were more likely to meet systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, require intensive-care unit (ICU)-level care, and have a longer length of stay compared with those not tested. However, testing was not associated with a decrease in total antibiotic days of therapy.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Ulrich RJ, McClung D, Wang BR .
Introduction of procalcitonin testing and antibiotic utilization for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Infect Dis 2019 Jun 12;12:1178633719852626. doi: 10.1177/1178633719852626..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Chronic Conditions, Respiratory Conditions, Medication
Gong CL, Zangwill KM, Hay JW
Behavioral economics interventions to improve outpatient antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Researchers sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of three behavioral economic interventions designed to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Provider education on guidelines for the appropriate ARI treatment is compared with suggested alternatives, which use computerized clinical decision support to suggest non-antibiotic treatment choices; accountable justification, which mandates free-text justification into the patient's electronic health record when antibiotics are prescribed; and peer comparison. The authors concluded that behavioral economics interventions can be cost-effective strategies for reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by reducing healthcare resource utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS019913.
Citation: Gong CL, Zangwill KM, Hay JW .
Behavioral economics interventions to improve outpatient antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Jun;34(6):846-54. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4467-x..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medication, Practice Patterns, Healthcare Costs, Respiratory Conditions