ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Statewide tracking and reporting is an outpatient antimicrobial stewardship tool that may be useful for many stakeholders. However, to date, these evaluations have been limited. This study aimed to track and report outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Medicare Part B enrollees diagnosed with cystitis in the outpatient setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cohort study of Medicare Part B enrollees in New York State. Inclusion criteria include outpatient visit in 2016 or 2017, cystitis diagnosis code, and oral antibiotic prescription ≤3 days after diagnosis of cystitis. Antibiotics were categorized as first-line, oral ß-lactams, fluoroquinolones, or other per Infectious Diseases Society of America acute uncomplicated cystitis guidelines. Data were stratified by sex. Annual prescriptions proportions were compared using χâ2 test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 50 658 prescriptions were included. For females' prescriptions, first line increased (41.5% vs 43.8%, P < .0001), oral ß-lactams increased (17.8% vs 20.5%, P < .0001), fluoroquinolones decreased (34.1% vs 29.1%, P < .0001), and other increased (6.5% vs 6.6%, P = .76) in 2017. For males' prescriptions, first line increased (25.2% vs 26.7%, P = .11), oral ß-lactams increased (23.1% vs 26.2%, P = .0003), fluoroquinolones decreased (44.0% vs 39.3%, P < .0001), and other remained unchanged (7.8% vs 7.8%, P = .92) in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Guideline concordant therapy prescribing for cystitis increased among Medicare Part B beneficiaries in New York State between 2016 and 2017. However, there was still a high prevalence of fluoroquinolone prescribing. These data highlight the need for additional outpatient antimicrobial stewardship efforts in New York State.