For the study, published Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, researchers examined a national sample of more than 6 million outpatient pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia between 2008 and 2015. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 6 years old.
Researchers found that clinicians obtained a complete blood count for 8.6 percent of the patients, and 43 percent underwent radiography tests. A majority of patients (73.9 percent) were given antibiotics. This could contribute to the rise in antibiotic resistance among young children, making it harder for them to fight off diseases.
There were no changes in diagnostic testing or antibiotic use over time.
More articles on healthcare quality:
CMS terminates Kentucky hospital’s Medicare contract
Tennessee hospital to lose Medicare contract
Massachusetts hospitals stockpile $1.6B in offshore accounts, nurses say
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
