Study of the appropriateness of prescribing antibiotic treatments in primary care and costs derived from inappropriateness
Caminal J, Rovira J, Segura A
Record ID 31999009905
Catalan, English, Spanish
Authors' objectives:
The main objective of this study was to establish the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions in a sample of reformed primary care centres belonging to the Primary Care Subdivision (PCS) of the Costa de Ponent health care region, as well as the use of resources derived from inappropriateness (inappropriateness costs).
Authors' recommendations:
The clinical appropriateness - in terms of indication and/or prescription - obtained in this study is 56%. This percentage lowers to 43% when economic criteria are used together with the clinical criteria.
70% of the consultations were caused by infectious diseases not requiring antibiotic treatment, and of these prescription was inappropriate in 40% of the cases, when antibiotics were actually prescribed.
Out of the 30% of the consultations requiring antibiotic treatment, prescription was inappropriate in 53% of the cases, therefore exposing the patients to the potential adverse effects of antibiotics, and increasing the likeliness of bacterial resistances.
In 9% of the cases, antibiotics were not prescribed in diagnosis requiring them, with a negative impact in terms of health and of new cost.
The costs of inappropriateness represent 69% of the total expense in antibiotics, and represent a mean inappropriate cost of 982 Pta. per infectious disease consultation.
Support to primary care professionals, with the implementation of training and information activities, should be encouraged.
Authors' methods:
Observational study
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1999
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Spain
MeSH Terms
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Costs and Cost Analysis
Contact
Organisation Name:
Agencia de Qualitat i Avaluacio Sanitries de Catalunya
Contact Address:
Antoni Parada, CAHTA, Roc Boronat, 81-95 (2nd floor), 08005 Barcelona, Spain, Tel. +34 935 513 928, Fax: +34 935 517 510
Contact Name:
direccio@aatrm.catsalut.net / aparada@aatrm.catsalut.net
Contact Email:
direccio@aatrm.catsalut.net / aparada@aatrm.catsalut.net
Copyright:
Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research
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