33% of prescribed antibiotics are not necessary — 4 findings

A CDC and Pew Charitable Trust study found nearly one-third of antibiotics providers prescribe are not needed, according to The Washington Post.

Researchers argue antibiotics have the potential to save lives, and overuse could diminish their effectiveness. Many of these unnecessary prescriptions correlate to conditions such as colds, sore throats, bronchitis, flu and other viral illnesses.

Here are four findings from the study:

1. Nearly 13 percent of outpatient visits in the United States result in an antibiotic prescriptions.

2. Forty-four percent of antibiotic prescriptions are written to treat patients with acute respiratory conditions.

3. Of that 44 percent, almost half are unnecessary as they are used to treat viral illnesses.

4. If outpatient antibiotic use was cut by 15 percent overall, this would translate to nearly 23 million fewer antibiotics prescribed annually by 2020.

More articles on quality & infection control:
10 ways patients can minimize their risk of acquiring an HAI
FDA may require physicians obtain training for opioid prescribing: 4 notes
Sen. John Cornyn pushes back against $1.9B Zika emergency fund — 3 notes

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