AHRQ - Closing the Quality Gap: Antibiotic Prescribing Behavior

Unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics is a major problem in the US and worldwide, contributing to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This review examines the effects of quality improvement strategies on reducing inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, targeting both prescribing of antibiotics for non-bacterial illnesses ("the antibiotic treatment decision") and prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics when narrow-spectrum agents are indicated ("the antibiotic selection decision").

Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies: Volume 4—Antibiotic Prescribing BehaviorEvidence
Report (Publication No. 04(06)-0051-4)
(PDF file, 790 KB)

View or download Summary/Report