“The most important modifiable risk factor for antibiotic resistance is inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics,” writes Adrienne Mims, MD MPH FAAFP, AGSF, Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Medicare Quality Improvement at Alliant Quality, a health care consulting organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and integrity of health care. At least 30 percent of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in the United States are unnecessary, she writes.
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) as a grantee of the Choosing Wisely program here in North Carolina, supports educational efforts to encourage appropriate prescribing of antibiotics. Dr. Mims offers this article describing the issue and the CDC’s release of the “Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship.” Read the article here.
The Choosing Wisely website also offers resources to help you and your patients understand how to be good antibiotic prescribing stewards.
