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. 2020 May 21;7(6):ofaa182.
doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa182. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Decreased Outpatient Fluoroquinolone Prescribing Using a Multimodal Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiative

Kevin Lin  1 , Yorgo Zahlanie  2 , Jessica K Ortwine  1   3 , Norman S Mang  1   3 , Wenjing Wei  1   3 , L Steven Brown  4 , Bonnie C Prokesch  3
Affiliations

Decreased Outpatient Fluoroquinolone Prescribing Using a Multimodal Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiative

Kevin Lin et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics prescribed in the outpatient setting, though they have serious side effects. This study evaluates the impact of stewardship interventions on total and inappropriate prescribing of fluoroquinolones in outpatient settings in a large county hospital and health system.

Methods: In an effort to decrease inappropriate outpatient fluoroquinolone usage, a multimodal antimicrobial stewardship initiative was implemented in November 2016. Education regarding the risks, benefits, and appropriate uses of fluoroquinolones was provided to providers in different outpatient settings, Food and Drug Administration warnings were added to all oral fluoroquinolone orders, an outpatient order set for cystitis treatment was created, and fluoroquinolone susceptibilities were suppressed when appropriate. Charts from October 2016, 2017, and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed if the patient encounter occurred in primary care clinics, emergency departments, or urgent care centers within Parkland Health & Hospital System and a fluoroquinolone was prescribed. Inappropriate use was defined as a fluoroquinolone prescription for cystitis, bronchitis, or sinusitis in a patient without a history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or multidrug-resistant organisms and without drug allergies that precluded use of other oral antibiotics.

Results: Total fluoroquinolone prescriptions per 1000 patient visits decreased significantly by 39% (P < .01), and inappropriate fluoroquinolone use decreased from 53% to 34% (P < .01). More than 90% of inappropriate fluoroquinolone prescriptions were given for cystitis, while bronchitis and sinusitis accounted for only 4.4% and 1.6% of inappropriate indications, respectively.

Conclusion: A multimodal stewardship initiative appears to effectively reduce both total and inappropriate outpatient fluoroquinolone prescriptions.

Keywords: antimicrobial stewardship; fluoroquinolone; outpatient stewardship.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Stewardship intervention timeline. Abbreviations: ED, emergency department; FQ, fluoroquinolone.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Total fluoroquinolone prescriptions by facility. Abbreviations: ED, emergency department; FQ, fluoroquinolone; Oct, October; PCC, primary care clinic; UCC, urgent care center.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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