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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 DisplayedWurcel AG, Essien UR, Ortiz C
Variation by race in antibiotics prescribed for hospitalized patients with skin and soft tissue infections.
This cohort study examined antibiotics prescribed and variations by race among hospitalized patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). A subanalysis of multisite, cross-sectional data collected through a national survey of acute care hospital groups within Vizient, Inc. considering adult inpatients treated for SSTIs was used. Of the 1242 adult inpatients included from 91 US hospitals, 45% were female, 18% were Black, and 69% were White with a mean age of 58 years. Penicillin allergy with hives was found in 23%, 19% with rash, and 18% with unknown effects, with allergy found more frequent in Black patients (23%) versus White (18%). Adjusting for multiple factors, White inpatients were at an increased risk of cefazolin use and decreased risk of clindamycin use compared with Black inpatients. Cefazolin use with less likely to be prescribed to Black inpatients than White inpatients and they were likely to be prescribed clindamycin. Cefazolin is considered a first-line SSTI treatment with clindamycin not recommended given frequent dosing and high potential for adverse effects including Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Although penicillin allergy is described as more prevalent among White patients, the authors observed an increased prevalence among Black inpatients compared with White inpatients treated for SSTI.
Citation: Wurcel AG, Essien UR, Ortiz C .
Variation by race in antibiotics prescribed for hospitalized patients with skin and soft tissue infections.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Dec;4(12):e2140798. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.40798..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Skin Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Practice Patterns, Medication
Soper NS, Appukutty AJ, Paje D
Antibiotic overuse after discharge from medical short-stay units.
This study investigated antibiotic overuse after discharge from medical short-stay units (SSUs). This cross-sectional study included patients hospitalized in 2 different medical SSUs with a total of 40 beds at a single academic medical center. Eligible adults were discharged with an oral antibiotic from either SSU from May 2018 to September 2019. Of 100 patients discharged from SSUs with antibiotics, 47 had a skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI), 22 pneumonia, 21 UTI, and 10 had “other” infections. Overall, 78 cases (78%) were defined as overuse, including 39 of 47 of those treated for SSTI, 17 of 21 for UTI, and 14 of 22 for pneumonia. The most common types of overuse were excess duration and guideline discordant selection. Examples of factors influencing overuse included consultant recommendations, miscalculation of duration, and the need for source control procedure.
AHRQ-funded; HS026530.
Citation: Soper NS, Appukutty AJ, Paje D .
Antibiotic overuse after discharge from medical short-stay units.
Nov;43(11):1689-92. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.346..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medication, Pneumonia, Skin Conditions, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Respiratory Conditions, Hospital Discharge