Researchers assessed antibiotic prescriptions on a single day in spring (May 3, 2017), summer (Aug. 2, 2017), fall (Oct. 25, 2017) and winter (Jan. 31, 2018), at 51 freestanding U.S. children’s hospitals participating in the Pediatric Health Information System.
Of 52,769 total hospitalized children, slightly more than 36 percent received antibiotics on the study day, and of these, 12.5 percent received broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Antibiotic use varied across hospitals from 22.3 percent to 51.9 percent, and antibiotics were prescribed for 47.7 percent of surgery patients across hospitals.
Among hospital department units, antibiotic use was most prevalent among pediatric intensive care unit patients, with 58.3 percent of patients receiving antibiotics. Of those, 26.6 percent received broad-spectrum antibiotics.
More articles on patient safety and outcomes:
Daily care team briefings cut hospital stays for lung disease patients
National taskforce recommends hepatitis C screening for all US adults
Civica Rx investor gives Penn Nursing $6M to study care model
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
