A survey of patient practices regarding leftover antibiotics reveals a potential source of antibiotic overuse.

Taking leftover prescribed antibiotics without consulting a healthcare professional is problematic for the efficacy, safety, and antibiotic stewardship. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult patients in English and Spanish between January 2020 and June 2021 in six safety-net primary care clinics and two private emergency departments. We assessed the reasons for stopping prescribed antibiotics early and what was done with the leftover antibiotics. Additionally, we determined 1) prior leftover antibiotic use, 2) intention for future use of leftover antibiotics, and 3) sociodemographic factors. Of 564 survey respondents (median age of 51), 45% (251/564) reported a history of stopping antibiotics early, with 171/409 (42%) from safety net and 80/155 (52%) from the private clinics. The most common reason for stopping prescribed antibiotics early was "because you felt better" (194/251, 77%). Among survey participants, prior use of leftover antibiotics was reported by 149/564 (26%) and intention for future use of leftover antibiotics was reported by 284/564 (51%). In addition, higher education was associated with a higher likelihood of prior leftover use. Intention for future use of leftover antibiotics was more likely for those with transportation or language barriers to medical care and less likely for respondents with private insurance. Stopping prescribed antibiotics early was mostly ascribed to feeling better, and saving remaining antibiotics for future use was commonly reported. To curb nonprescription antibiotic use, all facets of the leftover antibiotic use continuum, from overprescribing to hoarding, need to be addressed.

Determining a urinary-specific antibiogram and risk factors of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and multidrug resistance among Enterobacterales in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for ciprofloxacin or MDR in primary care urine specimens are not well defined. OBJECTIVES: We created a primary care-specific antibiogram for Escherichia coli isolates from cases with complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) and evaluated risk factors for ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and MDR among Enterobacterales. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine resistance and risk factors by collecting urine cultures from all patients (≥18 years) presenting with provider-suspected UTI at two primary care, safety-net clinics in Houston, TX, USA between November 2018 and March 2020. RESULTS: Among 1262 cultures, 308 cultures grew 339 uropathogens. Patients with Enterobacterales (n = 199) were mostly female (93.5%) with a mean age of 48.5 years. E. coli was the predominant uropathogen isolated (n = 187/339; 55%) and had elevated trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (43.6%) and ciprofloxacin (29.5%) resistance, low nitrofurantoin (1.8%) resistance, and no fosfomycin resistance. Among E. coli, 10.6% were ESBL positive and 24.9% had MDR. Birth outside the U.S.A., prior (2 year) trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance, and diabetes mellitus were associated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance. Prior (60 day) fluoroquinolone use, prior ciprofloxacin resistance and both diabetes mellitus and hypertension were strongly associated with ciprofloxacin resistance. Prior fluoroquinolone use and a history of resistance to any studied antibiotic were associated with MDR, while pregnancy was protective. CONCLUSIONS: We found elevated resistance to UTI-relevant antimicrobials and novel factors associated with resistance; these data can be incorporated into clinical decision tools to improve organism and drug concordance.

Predicting Antibiotic Susceptibility Among Patients With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Using a Prior Culture.

PURPOSE: Recurrent cystitis guidelines recommend relying on a local antibiogram or prior urine culture to guide empirical prescribing, yet little data exist to quantify the predictive value of a prior culture. We constructed a urinary antibiogram and evaluated test metrics (sensitivity, specificity, and Bayes' positive and negative predictive values) of a prior gram-negative organism on predicting subsequent resistance or susceptibility among patients with uncomplicated, recurrent cystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective database study of adults with recurrent, uncomplicated cystitis (cystitis occurring 2 times in 6 months or 3 times in 12 months) from urology or primary care clinics between November 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. We excluded pregnant females, patients with complicated cystitis, or pyelonephritis. Test metrics were calculated between sequential, paired cultures using standard formulas. RESULTS: We included 597 visits from 232 unique patients wherein 310 (51.2%) visits had a urine culture and 165 had gram-negative uropathogens isolated. Patients with gram-negative uropathogens were mostly females (97%), with a median age of 58.5 years. Our antibiogram found 38.0%, 27.9%, and 5.5% of Escherichia coli isolates had resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin, respectively. Prior cultures (within 2 years) had good predictive value for detecting future susceptibility to first-line agents nitrofurantoin (0.85) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (0.78) and excellent predictive values (≥0.90) for cefepime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and imipenem. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable antibiotic resistance was detected among E coli isolates in patients with recurrent, uncomplicated cystitis. Using a prior culture as a guide can enhance the probability of selecting an effective empirical agent.

Asynchronous online training increased knowledge, confidence, and intent to screen and treat substance use disorders among primary care clinicians practicing in Texas.

INTRODUCTION: Despite increasing prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD), few patients are diagnosed and treated in primary care settings. This study evaluated changes in knowledge, confidence, and intention to implement screening and brief intervention (SBI) and SUD treatment after clinicians participated in an asynchronous online education course. METHODS: A self-selected sample of primary care clinicians in Texas participated in online SBI and SUD education March 2021-July 2023. Baseline and post-training surveys evaluated changes in knowledge, confidence, and intent to implement SBI and SUD treatment. Changes were compared using paired t-tests. Multivariable linear regression examined factors potentially associated with confidence and intention to implement changes. Clinician feedback regarding the course was included. RESULTS: Of 613 respondents, 50.9% were practicing family medicine clinicians. Knowledge of adolescent screening tools increased from 21.9% to 75.7% (p < 0.001). Knowledge about the number of drinks that define excessive drinking among non-pregnant women increased from 24.5% at baseline to 64.9% (p < 0.001). Clinicians reported lowest confidence in providing opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy, which improved after program participation. Intent to implement SBI and medication for alcohol, nicotine and opioid use disorders increased (p < 0.001) after training. No factors were associated with change in confidence or intention to implement in multivariable models (p > 0.05). Satisfaction was high and nearly 60% reported intention to change their clinical practice because of the program. CONCLUSION: Knowledge, confidence, and intent to implement SBI and SUD treatment increased after completing the online course. Clinician satisfaction was high and demonstrated improved intention to implement SBI and SUD treatment.

Antibiotic Use Without a Prescription: A Multisite Survey of Patient, Health System, and Encounter Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Using antibiotics without a prescription is potentially unsafe and may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance. We evaluated the effect of patient, health system, and clinical encounter factors on intention to use antibiotics without a prescription that were (1) purchased in the United States, (2) obtained from friends or relatives, (3) purchased abroad, or (4) from any of these sources. METHODS: The survey was performed January 2020-June 2021 in 6 publicly funded primary care clinics and 2 private emergency departments in Texas, United States. Participants included adult patients visiting 1 of the clinical settings. Nonprescription use was defined as use of antibiotics without a prescription; intended use was professed intention for future nonprescription antibiotic use. RESULTS: Of 564 survey respondents (33% Black and 47% Hispanic or Latino), 246 (43.6%) reported prior use of antibiotics without a prescription, and 177 (31.4%) reported intent to use antibiotics without a prescription. If feeling sick, respondents endorsed that they would take antibiotics obtained from friends/relatives (22.3% of 564), purchased in the United States without a prescription (19.1%), or purchased abroad without a prescription (17.9%). Younger age, lack of health insurance, and a perceived high cost of doctor visits were predictors of intended use of nonprescription antibiotics from any of the sources. Other predictors of intended use were lack of transportation for medical appointments, language barrier to medical care, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and being interviewed in Spanish. CONCLUSIONS: Patients without health insurance who report a financial barrier to care are likely to pursue more dangerous nonprescription antimicrobials. This is a harm of the US fragmented, expensive healthcare system that may drive increasing antimicrobial resistance and patient harm.

The Five Ds of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship for Urinary Tract Infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common indications for antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting. Given rising rates of antibiotic resistance among uropathogens, antibiotic stewardship is critically needed to improve outpatient antibiotic use, including in outpatient clinics (primary care and specialty clinics) and emergency departments. Outpatient clinics are in general a neglected practice area in antibiotic stewardship programs, yet most antibiotic use in the United States is in the outpatient setting. This article provides a comprehensive review of antibiotic stewardship strategies for outpatient UTI in the adult population, with a focus on the "five Ds" of stewardship for UTI, including right diagnosis, right drug, right dose, right duration, and de-escalation. Stewardship interventions that have shown success for improving prescribing for outpatient UTI are discussed, including diagnostic stewardship strategies, such as reflex urine cultures, computerized decision support systems, and modified reporting of urine culture results. Among the many challenges to achieving stewardship for UTI in the outpatient setting, some of the most important are diagnostic uncertainty, increasing antibiotic resistance, limitations of guidelines, and time constraints of stewardship personnel and front-line providers. This article presents a stewardship framework, built on current evidence and expert opinion, that clinicians can use to guide their own outpatient management of UTI.

Envisioning Future Urinary Tract Infection Diagnostics.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in the United States and are a major driver of antibiotic use, both appropriate and inappropriate, across healthcare settings. Novel UTI diagnostics are a strategy that might enable better UTI treatment. Members of the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group Laboratory Center and the Infectious Diseases Society of America Diagnostics Committee convened to envision ideal future UTI diagnostics, with a view towards improving delivery of healthcare, patient outcomes and experiences, and antibiotic use, addressing which types of UTI diagnostics are needed and how companies might approach development of novel UTI diagnostics.

Outpatient antibiogram and predictors of ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant urinary tract infections.

Context: Rising antibiotic resistance has transcended hospital boundaries and impacted individuals with community acquired urinary tract infections (UTI). Scant data on antibiotic resistance in outpatient settings exists and most studies in the United States (U.S.) have identified predictors of resistance in acute-care settings. Objective: Determine the antibiogram among Escherichia coli isolates and factors associated with ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) resistant gram-negative urinary isolates. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Two primary care, safety-net clinics in Houston, TX between 11/2018 and 3/2020. Population studied: Patients aged 18 and older presenting with provider suspected uncomplicated or complicated UTI. Outcome measures: Resistance and predictors of resistance to UTI-relevant antibiotics. Results: Among 1265 cultures collected, 372 (28.4%) were positive. We detected E. coli (50.3%) and Group B Streptococcus (18.6%) most frequently. Our patient population consisted mostly of Hispanic (75.7%) females (92.5%) born outside the U.S. (67.3%) with a mean age of 47. Among patients with E. coli isolated (n=189), antibiotic resistance was highest to ampicillin (63%), TMP-SMX (44%), ciprofloxacin (31%), and cefazolin (30%); no or low resistance against amikacin (0%), fosfomycin (0%), and nitrofurantoin (2.7%) was detected. Approximately 12% of E. coli isolates were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase positive. Having a prior UTI caused by a TMP-SMX resistant gram-negative organism and being born outside the U.S increased the odds of TMP-SMX resistance by 3.71 (95% confidence interval: 1.6-9.2) and 3.08 (95% CI: 1.6-6.3), respectively. Having a complicated UTI (odds ratio (OR): 3.58; 95% CI: 1.1-12.1), prior fluoroquinolone use (OR: 6.81; 95% CI: 1.7-34.1) and a prior UTI with ciprofloxacin resistance (OR: 7.84; 95% CI: 3.2-20.7) increased the odds of having a ciprofloxacin resistance. Conclusion: The Infectious Disease Society of America cautions against prescribing an antibiotic if regional resistance exceeds 20%. We constructed an antibiogram and found resistance surpassed this threshold for TMP-SMX and ciprofloxacin and identified factors associated with resistance to these agents. Assessing these characteristics during clinical decision making may improve antibiotic-organism susceptibility concordance in primary care.

The emotional impact of urinary tract infections in women: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: While many studies address the clinical management of participants with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI), the emotional impact of uUTIs has been investigated less often. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the emotional experience of women with uUTIs. METHODS: This was a qualitative, exploratory, in-depth interview-based study conducted among women in the United States (US) and Germany. Women aged ≥ 18 years with at least one uUTI treated with antibiotics in the past year were recruited through a patient community panel and physician referrals. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling to include an equal split of those with 1 or ≥ 2 antibiotics, and an equal split of those treated for a single or recurrent uUTIs (≥ 2 uUTIs in the past year). A structured telephone interview included questions about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and retreatment (if any). Each participant was queried about her emotions and the impact of the uUTI on life activities. Thematic analysis of responses was carried out to identify common themes. RESULTS: A total of 65 participants completed the interview, 40 (61.5%) from the US and 25 (38.5%) from Germany. Major themes that emerged from the analyses included (1) a wide range of negative emotions were experienced due to uUTI symptoms, interference with activities of daily life, and effects on relationships and sleep; (2) varied emotions and understanding related to uUTI treatment and management approaches; (3) treatment failure caused frustration, worry, and anger; and (4) the prospect of recurrent uUTIs provoked dread and helplessness. CONCLUSION: Our research uncovered emotions of helplessness and dread experienced by women in the context of uUTI clinical treatment failure and recurrent uUTIs. Knowing patients' perspectives on UTI management will help guide the development of patient education and improve shared decision-making.

Outpatient fluoroquinolone prescribing patterns before and after US FDA boxed warning.

OBJECTIVES: Fluoroquinolones are routinely overprescribed for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI), acute sinusitis, and acute bronchitis. In 2016, the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the boxed warning on fluoroquinolones, recommending against their use as first-line agents for the routine pharmacologic management of uUTI, acute sinusitis, and acute bronchitis in patients who have other treatment options. The primary objective of this study was to determine if the 2016 expanded boxed warning was associated with decreased fluoroquinolone prescription rates for these three diagnoses. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed antibiotics prescribed at a single, large, academic outpatient center for these three diagnoses between January 2013 and May 2018. Interrupted time series analysis was used to compare the rate of fluoroquinolone prescriptions before and after the May 2016 FDA boxed warning. RESULTS: A total of 10 087 antibiotic prescriptions for these three diagnoses were examined. There was no significant change in fluoroquinolone prescription rates after the FDA boxed warning. The majority of inappropriate fluoroquinolone prescriptions were given for the management of uUTI. CONCLUSION: The 2016 US FDA boxed warning against fluoroquinolone use for uUTI, acute sinusitis, and acute bronchitis was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in the rate of fluoroquinolone prescriptions for these diagnoses. Additional research is needed to define how US FDA boxed warnings may be incorporated into broader antibiotic stewardship programs to decrease overuse of fluoroquinolones and avoid adverse effects of the drug class, including Clostridioides difficile infections and emergence of resistant organisms.

Use of Antibiotics Without a Prescription in the U.S. Population: A Scoping Review.

Background: Use of antibiotics without a prescription may increase unnecessary and inappropriate drug use or doses as well as global risk for antimicrobial resistance. Purpose: To perform a scoping review of research on the prevalence of nonprescription antibiotic use in the United States and to examine the factors that influence it. Data Sources: Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and relevant Web sites without language restrictions from January 2000 to March 2019. Study Selection: Studies reporting nonprescription use of antibiotics, storage of antibiotics, intention to use antibiotics without a prescription, and factors influencing nonprescription use. Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently screened citations and full texts and performed data abstraction. Data Synthesis: Of 17 422 screened articles, 31 met inclusion criteria. Depending on population characteristics, prevalence of nonprescription antibiotic use varied from 1% to 66%, storage of antibiotics for future use varied from 14% to 48%, and prevalence of intention to use antibiotics without a prescription was 25%. Antibiotics were obtained without a prescription from various sources, including previously prescribed courses, local markets or stores, and family or friends. Reported factors contributing to nonprescription use included easy access through markets or stores that obtain antibiotics internationally for under-the-counter sales, difficulty accessing the health care system, costs of physician visits, long waiting periods in clinics, and transportation problems. Limitation: Scarce evidence and heterogeneous methods and outcomes. Conclusion: Nonprescription antibiotic use is a seemingly prevalent and understudied public health problem in the United States. An increased understanding of risk factors and pathways that are amenable to intervention is essential to decrease this unsafe practice. Primary Funding Source: None.

Patients at Risk for Aortic Rupture Often Exposed to Fluoroquinolones during Hospitalization.

Several studies have indicated that fluoroquinolone use may be associated with an increased risk of aortic aneurysm or dissection (AAD). Because patients with AAD or Marfan syndrome are at increased risk for aortic rupture, we performed a retrospective cohort study to determine the prevalence of systemic fluoroquinolone exposure and predictors of fluoroquinolone use in these patients. Data were obtained from the advisory board billing and administrative database, which contained information on 22 million adult hospitalizations in the United States for the study period (2009 to 2015). International Classification of Diseases (9/10) and Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients who had AAD or Marfan syndrome or underwent aortic repair. We identified 136,789 admissions for AAD, which involved 99,818 unique patients, 20% of whom received fluoroquinolone during a hospital admission. Of the 7,045 patients with dissection, 18% were exposed to fluoroquinolone. Of the 27,876 AAD patients who underwent aortic repair, 19% received fluoroquinolone during a hospitalization before the repair. In the AAD patients, having a diagnosis of pneumonia or urinary tract infection increased the likelihood of receiving fluoroquinolone during admission by 46% and 40%, respectively (P < 0.001). Additionally, we identified 2,871 admissions for Marfan syndrome, which involved 1,872 patients, 14% of whom received fluoroquinolone during an admission. In these patients, pneumonia and urinary tract infections also increased the risk of fluoroquinolone exposure. If the deleterious effects of fluoroquinolone on aortic integrity are substantiated, reducing fluoroquinolone use in hospitalized patients with aortic disorders will become an urgent safety issue for antibiotic stewardship programs.

Routine Urine Testing at the Spinal Cord Injury Annual Evaluation Leads to Unnecessary Antibiotic Use: A Pilot Study and Future Directions.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) at the time of their annual examination and to examine the effect on urine testing during the annual examination on subsequent antibiotic use. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A major SCI center. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans (N=393) with SCI seen for an outpatient annual evaluation in 2012 or 2013. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Antibiotic use for bacteriuria within 7 days of the annual evaluation encounter. RESULTS: There were 327 clinic visits that met inclusion criteria; of these 327 veterans, 249 had a urine culture performed. A total of 171 urine cultures (69%) were positive for bacteria, of which 22 (13%) represented urinary tract infection (UTI) cases and 149 (87%) were ASB cases. More than a third of the ASB cases (n=53 [36%]) were treated with antibiotics. None of the 78 visits with negative urine cultures received antibiotics to treat the UTI; thus, a positive urine culture alone was associated with antibiotic use (P<.01). Factors predicting antibiotic use were higher age, nitrite presence on urinalysis, and urease-producing organism on culture media. When comparing bladder management strategies, indwelling catheterization was found to be associated with higher levels of pyuria and hematuria than did spontaneous voiding or intermittent catheterization (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of the urine cultures of persons with SCI presenting for their annual examination were positive. Most of the positive cultures represented ASB cases, and more than a third of these were treated with antibiotics. A better understanding of the mandate for urine testing at the annual examination and the outcomes of this practice is an important first step in developing antibiotic stewardship for UTI in persons with SCI.

Urinary Tract Infection.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This article provides an evidence-based, clinically relevant overview of management of UTIs, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Conditions covered include acute cystitis (both uncomplicated and complicated), catheter-associated UTI, and asymptomatic bacteriuria in both women and men.

Nonprescription Antimicrobial Use in a Primary Care Population in the United States.

Community antimicrobial resistance rates are high in communities with frequent use of nonprescription antibiotics. Studies addressing nonprescription antibiotic use in the United States have been restricted to Latin American immigrants. We estimated the prevalence of nonprescription antibiotic use in the previous 12 months as well as intended use (intention to use antibiotics without a prescription) and storage of antibiotics and examined patient characteristics associated with nonprescription use in a random sample of adults. We selected private and public primary care clinics that serve ethnically and socioeconomically diverse patients. Within the clinics, we used race/ethnicity-stratified systematic random sampling to choose a random sample of primary care patients. We used a self-administered standardized questionnaire on antibiotic use. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of nonprescription use. The response rate was 94%. Of 400 respondents, 20 (5%) reported nonprescription use of systemic antibiotics in the last 12 months, 102 (25.4%) reported intended use, and 57 (14.2%) stored antibiotics at home. These rates were similar across race/ethnicity groups. Sources of antibiotics used without prescriptions or stored for future use were stores or pharmacies in the United States, "leftover" antibiotics from previous prescriptions, antibiotics obtained abroad, or antibiotics obtained from a relative or friend. Respiratory symptoms were common reasons for the use of nonprescription antibiotics. In multivariate analyses, public clinic patients, those with less education, and younger patients were more likely to endorse intended use. The problem of nonprescription use is not confined to Latino communities. Community antimicrobial stewardship must include a focus on nonprescription antibiotics.

Diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections in the outpatient setting: a review.

IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infection is among the most common reasons for an outpatient visit and antibiotic use in adult populations. The increasing prevalence of antibacterial resistance among community uropathogens affects the diagnosis and management of this clinical syndrome. OBJECTIVES: To define the optimal approach for treating acute cystitis in young healthy women and in women with diabetes and men and to define the optimal approach for diagnosing acute cystitis in the outpatient setting. EVIDENCE REVIEW: Evidence for optimal treatment regimens was obtained by searching PubMed and the Cochrane database for English-language studies published up to July 21, 2014. FINDINGS: Twenty-seven randomized clinical trials (6463 patients), 6 systematic reviews, and 11 observational studies (252,934 patients) were included in our review. Acute uncomplicated cystitis in women can be diagnosed without an office visit or urine culture. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (160/800 mg twice daily for 3 days), nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals (100 mg twice daily for 5-7 days), and fosfomycin trometamol (3 g in a single dose) are all appropriate first-line therapies for uncomplicated cystitis. Fluoroquinolones are effective for clinical outcomes but should be reserved for more invasive infections. ß-Lactam agents (amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefpodoxime-proxetil) are not as effective as empirical first-line therapies. Immediate antimicrobial therapy is recommended rather than delayed treatment or symptom management with ibuprofen alone. Limited observational studies support 7 to 14 days of therapy for acute urinary tract infection in men. Based on 1 observational study and our expert opinion, women with diabetes without voiding abnormalities presenting with acute cystitis should be treated similarly to women without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Immediate antimicrobial therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, or fosfomycin is indicated for acute cystitis in adult women. Increasing resistance rates among uropathogens have complicated treatment of acute cystitis. Individualized assessment of risk factors for resistance and regimen tolerability is needed to choose the optimum empirical regimen.

Antibiotic Stewardship Interventions for Urinary Tract Infections in Outpatient Settings: A Narrative Review.

Inappropriate antibiotic choice or duration of therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in outpatients is common and is a major contributor to antibiotic overuse. Most studies on outpatient antibiotic stewardship for UTIs follow a pre-design or post-design with a multifaceted intervention; these trials generally have found improvement in appropriateness of antibiotic use for UTI. Audit and feedback was one of the most commonly employed strategies across these trials but may not be sustainable. Future research on antibiotic stewardship for UTIs in outpatients should measure both effectiveness and implementation success.

Empowering Low-Income Patients with Home Blood Pressure Monitors to Improve Hypertension Control.

INTRODUCTION: Effective management of hypertension (HTN) is a priority in primary care. With telehealth now considered a staple care delivery method, uninsured and low-income patients without home blood pressure (BP) monitors may need additional attention and resources to achieve successful HTN control. METHODS: This prospective study at an underserved community clinic assessed the impact of distributing free BP monitors on patients' HTN control and therapy adherence. Enrollees were randomized into 2 groups, both completing 4 primary care physician (PCP) visits over a 6-month study period. Intervention participants collected home BP readings to report to their PCP and comparison participants completed an equivalent number of visits without having home BP data available for their PCP to review. Both groups completed an initial and final Therapy Adherence Scale (TAS) questionnaire. RESULTS: 263 patients were invited and 200 participants (mean age 50, 60% female, 19% Black, 67% Hispanic) completed the study. Intervention and comparison subjects featured comparable initial BP levels and TAS scores. After adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, sex, presence of diabetes and therapy adherence, intervention participants experienced higher odds of controlled HTN (OR 4.0; 95% Confidence Interval 2.1 to 7.7). A greater proportion of participants achieved BP control in the intervention arm compared with the comparison arm (82% vs 54% of participants, P < .001). TAS scores were higher in the intervention group (Mean = 44.1 vs 41.1; P < .001). DISCUSSION: The provision of free home BP monitors to low-income patients may feasibly and effectively improve BP control and therapy adherence.

Factors associated with intention to implement SBI and SUD treatment: a survey of primary care clinicians in Texas enrolled in an online course.

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorder (SUD) presents a range of public health challenges and consequences. Despite the prevention potential of screening and brief intervention (SBI) in the primary care setting, implementation is low. The purpose of this study was to assess associations of primary care clinicians' knowledge of SBI and SUD treatment, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control with intention to incorporate SBI and SUD treatment into regular clinical practice. METHODS: This online survey was administered to primary care clinicians who practice in Texas between March 1, 2021, and February 5, 2023. Survey questions were mapped to factors in the Theory of Planned Behavior and included measures of knowledge, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls related to SBI and SUD treatment. Intention to engage in SBI and SUD treatment was assessed as the outcome. RESULTS: Of 645 participants included in this study, 59.5% were physicians. Knowledge was low, with less than half correctly reporting what was considered a standard drink (39.6%) and only 20% knew the correct number of alcoholic beverages considered risky drinking in 21-year-old non-pregnant women. Subjective norms, such as having colleagues within their practice support addressing SUDs, and perceived behavioral control such as having SUD screening routinized within clinic workflows, were positively associated with intention to implement SBI and SUD treatment in primary care settings. CONCLUSIONS: Modifying knowledge gaps, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control requires a multipronged interventional approach that blends accessible clinician training with systemic workplace enhancements and a collective shift in professional norms.

Prevalence and Predictors of Using Antibiotics without a Prescription in a Pediatric Population in the United States.

Non-prescription antibiotic use (using antibiotics without clinical guidance) increases the risk of the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions, and other potential patient harm. Few studies have explored non-prescription use in children in the U.S. From January 2021 to April 2022, a diverse sample of caregivers of children under 18 years were surveyed in English and Spanish at two safety net clinics in Texas. We assessed the prevalence of antibiotic use in children in the previous 12 months, storage of antimicrobials, and intended use of non-prescription antibiotics (professed intention for future non-prescription antibiotic use). We also measured sociodemographic factors, types of antibiotics used, and symptoms that trigger non-prescription use. The response rate was 82%, and 17% were surveyed in Spanish. Of 322 participants surveyed, three Spanish-speaking caregivers reported giving non-prescription antibiotics to their child in the previous 12 months. Approximately 21% (n = 69) reported storing antimicrobials at home, specifically amoxicillin (n = 52), clindamycin (n = 10), cephalexin (n = 5), penicillin (n = 3), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (n = 3). Nearly 15% (n = 46) reported intention to give non-prescription antibiotics to their children. Younger caregiver age was associated with storage and intended use of non-prescription antibiotics. Our findings will guide the development of an educational intervention to decrease non-prescription antibiotic use.