Impact of Implementation of the Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship Within Veterans Health Administration Emergency Departments and Primary Care Clinics on Antibiotic Prescribing and Patient Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship provide a framework to improve antibiotic use. We report the impact of core elements implementation within Veterans Health Administration sites. METHODS: In this quasiexperimental controlled study, effects of an intervention targeting antibiotic prescription for uncomplicated acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) were assessed. Outcomes included per-visit antibiotic prescribing, treatment appropriateness, ARI revisits, hospitalization, and ARI diagnostic changes over a 3-year pre-implementation period and 1-year post-implementation period. Logistic regression adjusted for covariates (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) and a difference-in-differences analysis compared outcomes between intervention and control sites. RESULTS: From 2014-2019, there were 16 712 and 51 275 patient visits within 10 intervention and 40 control sites, respectively. Antibiotic prescribing rates pre- and post-implementation within intervention sites were 59.7% and 41.5%, compared to 73.5% and 67.2% within control sites, respectively (difference-in-differences, P < .001). Intervention site pre- and post-implementation OR to receive appropriate therapy increased (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.31-2.14), which remained unchanged within control sites (OR,1.04; 95% CI, .91-1.19). ARI-related return visits post-implementation (-1.3% vs -2.0%; difference-in-differences P = .76) were not different, but all-cause hospitalization was lower within intervention sites (-0.5% vs -0.2%; difference-in-differences P = .02). The OR to diagnose non-specific ARI compared with non-ARI diagnoses increased post-implementation forintervention (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21 -1.34) but not control (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, .94-1.01) sites. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the core elements was associated with reduced antibiotic prescribing for RIs and a reduction in hospitalizations. Diagnostic coding changes were observed.

Comparative effectiveness of amoxicillin versus amoxicillin-clavulanate among adults with acute sinusitis in emergency department and urgent care settings.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of amoxicillin-clavulanate versus amoxicillin for adults diagnosed with acute sinusitis (AS). A secondary objective compared antibiotic effectiveness in patients meeting risk criteria for treatment failure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with AS prescribed amoxicillin ± clavulanate within Veterans Affairs emergency departments from 2012-2019 was conducted. The primary outcome was sinusitis-related return visits for amoxicillin versus amoxicillin-clavulanate. Secondary outcomes included 30-day infectious complications, gastrointestinal-related adverse events (AEs), and hospitalizations. Propensity-score matching and logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 89,627 AS patient visits were identified: 18,576 prescribed amoxicillin and 71,051 amoxicillin-clavulanate. Most patients were male (75,604; 84.4%) and afebrile (80,624; 91.7%). The propensity score-matched cohort comprised 17,929 amoxicillin and 42,294 amoxicillin-clavulanate patient visits. There was no difference in sinusitis-related return visits between amoxicillin (4.9%) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (5.1%) (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88, 1.04; P = 0.317). Infectious complications (amoxicillin [0.3%] vs amoxicillin-clavulanate [0.4%]); (adjusted OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57, 1.07; P = 0.124) and hospitalization (amoxicillin [2.0%] vs amoxicillin-clavulanate [2.4%]); (adjusted OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.81, 1.04; P = 0.173) were not different. Gastrointestinal-related AEs were lower with amoxicillin (0.5%) relative to amoxicillin-clavulanate (0.7%); (adjusted OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53, 0.86; P = 0.002). Comorbidity was the only guideline-recommended risk factor that was a significant predictor of infectious complications with respect to treatment (amoxicillin vs amoxicillin-clavulanate, OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.94; P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Amoxicillin demonstrated similar efficacy to amoxicillin-clavulanate for AS with fewer gastrointestinal-related AEs. Amoxicillin is a viable option in adults with AS meeting criteria for antibiotic therapy.

Linezolid to treat urinary tract infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus can cause urinary tract infection. Linezolid possesses antimicrobial activity against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus but has limited urinary excretion. Minimal data demonstrate efficacy of linezolid for treatment of urinary tract infections. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to compare post-treatment outcomes of linezolid to other antibiotics with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus activity in the treatment of urinary tract infection caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of inpatients within Veterans Health Administration facilities with urinary tract infection caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was created. Patients with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus isolated from urine cultures and chart documentation meeting criteria for urinary tract infection were identified. Demographics, comorbidity, treatments, and post-treatment outcomes were extracted from the electronic health record. Outcomes were compared between patients treated with linezolid and alternative antibiotics possessing vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus activity 14 days after treatment completion. Logistic regression adjusted for covariates associated with each outcome. RESULTS: Of 4,683 patients with a positive vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus culture, 624 (13%) met criteria for chart review, and 92 (15%) had documentation of urinary tract infection symptoms and treatment. The primary reason for exclusion was asymptomatic bacteriuria (64%). Patients had high Charlson Comorbidity Scores (mean = 8.7; standard deviation (SD) = 3.3), and 70% were located on general medical/surgical wards on the day of culture collection. Linezolid was prescribed in 54 (59%) cases. No difference between linezolid and comparator antibiotics were observed in re-initiation of antibiotics for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus urinary tract infection (9% and 5% respectively (p = 0.56), (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34-10.63)), recurrent positive vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus culture (4% and 11%, respectively (p = 0.23), (adjusted OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.05-2.31)), or mortality (7% and 3%, respectively (p = 0.39) (adjusted OR = 2.96; 95% CI = 0.37-41.39)). CONCLUSION: Most patients with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus identified on urine culture were asymptomatic. Linezolid appears effective as comparator antibiotics for the treatment of mild vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus urinary tract infection.

Drugs for Gram-Negative Bugs From 2010-2019: A Decade in Review.

A literature review spanning January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019, was conducted using the PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases to determine the breadth of publication activity in the area of gram-negative bacteria antimicrobial therapy. The number of articles was used as a reflection of scholarly activity. First, PubMed was searched using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): antibacterial agents, Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas. A total of 12 643 articles were identified within PubMed, and 77 862 articles were identified within ISI Web of Science that included these terms. Second, these articles were categorized by antibiotic class to identify relative contributions to the literature by drug category. Third, these studies were used to identify key trends in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections from the past decade. This review highlights advances made in the past 10 years in antibacterial pharmacotherapy and some of the challenges that await the next decade of practice.

Evaluation of uncomplicated acute respiratory tract infection management in veterans: A national utilization review.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are overprescribed for acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs). Guidelines provide criteria to determine which patients should receive antibiotics. We assessed congruence between documentation of ARI diagnostic and treatment practices with guideline recommendations, treatment appropriateness, and outcomes. METHODS: A multicenter quality improvement evaluation was conducted in 28 Veterans Affairs facilities. We included visits for pharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections (URI-NOS) that occurred during the 2015-2016 winter season. A manual record review identified complicated cases, which were excluded. Data were extracted for visits meeting criteria, followed by analysis of practice patterns, guideline congruence, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 5,740 visits, 4,305 met our inclusion criteria: pharyngitis (n = 558), rhinosinusitis (n = 715), bronchitis (n = 1,155), URI-NOS (n = 1,475), or mixed diagnoses (>1 ARI diagnosis) (n = 402). Antibiotics were prescribed in 68% of visits: pharyngitis (69%), rhinosinusitis (89%), bronchitis (86%), URI-NOS (37%), and mixed diagnosis (86%). Streptococcal diagnostic testing was performed in 33% of pharyngitis visits; group A Streptococcus was identified in 3% of visits. Streptococcal tests were ordered less frequently for patients who received antibiotics (28%) than those who did not receive antibiotics 44%; P < .01). Although 68% of visits for rhinosinusitis had documentation of symptoms, only 32% met diagnostic criteria for antibiotics. Overall, 39% of patients with uncomplicated ARIs received appropriate antibiotic management. The proportion of 30-day return visits for ARI care was similar for appropriate (11%) or inappropriate (10%) antibiotic management (P = .22). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics were prescribed in most uncomplicated ARI visits, indicating substantial overuse. Practice was frequently discordant with guideline diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Diagnosis and Antibiotic Management of Otitis Media and Otitis Externa in United States Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME) occur primarily in children, whereas acute otitis externa (AOE) occurs with similar frequency in children and adults. Data on the incidence and management of otitis in adults are limited. This study characterizes the incidence, antibiotic management, and outcomes for adults with otitis diagnoses. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of ambulatory adult veterans who presented with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) diagnoses at 6 VA Medical Centers during 2014-2018 was created. Then, a subcohort of patients with acute otitis diagnoses was developed. Patient visits were categorized with administrative diagnostic codes for ARI (eg, sinusitis, pharyngitis) and otitis (OME, AOM, and AOE). Incidence rates for each diagnosis were calculated. Proportions of otitis visits with antibiotic prescribing, complications, and specialty referral were summarized. RESULTS: Of 46 634 ARI visits, 3898 (8%) included an otitis diagnosis: OME (22%), AOM (44%), AOE (31%), and multiple otitis diagnoses (3%). Incidence rates were otitis media 4.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-4.2) and AOE 2.0 (95% CI, 1.9-2.1) diagnoses per 1000 patient-years. By comparison, the incidence rates for pharyngitis (8.4; 95% CI, 8.2-8.6) and sinusitis (15.2; 95% CI, 14.9-15.5) were higher. Systemic antibiotics were prescribed in 75%, 63%, and 21% of AOM, OME, and AOE visits, respectively. Complications for otitis visits were low irrespective of antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Administrative data indicated that otitis media diagnoses in adults were half as common as acute pharyngitis, and the majority received antibiotic treatment, which may be inappropriate. Prospective studies verifying diagnostic accuracy and antibiotic appropriateness are warranted.

Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in human health and influences the development of chronic diseases ranging from metabolic disease to gastrointestinal disorders and colorectal cancer. Of increasing prevalence in Western societies, these conditions carry a high burden of care. Dietary patterns and environmental factors have a profound effect on shaping gut microbiota in real time. Diverse populations of intestinal bacteria mediate their beneficial effects through the fermentation of dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids, endogenous signals with important roles in lipid homeostasis and reducing inflammation. Recent progress shows that an individual's starting microbial profile is a key determinant in predicting their response to intervention with live probiotics. The gut microbiota is complex and challenging to characterize. Enterotypes have been proposed using metrics such as alpha species diversity, the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes phyla, and the relative abundance of beneficial genera (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia) versus facultative anaerobes (E. coli), pro-inflammatory Ruminococcus, or nonbacterial microbes. Microbiota composition and relative populations of bacterial species are linked to physiologic health along different axes. We review the role of diet quality, carbohydrate intake, fermentable FODMAPs, and prebiotic fiber in maintaining healthy gut flora. The implications are discussed for various conditions including obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

Impact of Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Management in Primary Care Clinics.

PURPOSE: Current literature supports pharmacists effectively lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in diabetic patients. Little data exists on pharmacists' effects on comorbidity management, patient satisfaction, or the financial viability of these positions. This study looked to assess the impact of pharmacists on diabetes management compared to usual care. METHODS: This multi-site, two-part study includes a retrospective chart review of patients referred to the pharmacist versus usual care within a large academic health system. The pharmacists collaborated under a consult agreement with primary care physicians. The second part of the study assessed patient satisfaction through an abbreviated CG-CAHPS survey. RESULTS: A total of 206 patients with diabetes for an average of 12 years were included. The average patient age was 62 years with 60% of patients identifying as female and 81% as African-American. Patients were enrolled in a 2:1 fashion with 138 patients in the pharmacist-management group. Average baseline HbA1c was 10.1% in the pharmacist-management group and 9.3% in the usual care group (p= 0.0125). At 6 months, the mean change in HbA1c was -2.17% and 0.48% for the intervention and control groups respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists are effective at lowering HbA1c in primary care clinics, and patients were highly satisfied with these services. While direct revenue from this service did not meet cost, the pharmacist did positively affect outcomes that contribute to reimbursement.