Journal article
Antibiotic Prescribing Practices of Emergency Physicians and Patient Expectations for Uncomplicated Lacerations
The western journal of emergency medicine, Vol.12(4), pp.375-380
11/01/2011
DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2011.2.2115
PMCID: PMC3236143
PMID: 22224123
Abstract
Introduction: Prophylactic antibiotics have not been found to have a benefit in the setting of uncomplicated lacerations. We evaluated the proportion of patients with uncomplicated lacerations who are prescribed prophylactic antibiotics in the emergency department (ED), factors that physicians considered when prescribing antibiotics, and factors associated with patient satisfaction.
Methods: Adults and children presenting to 10 academic EDs with acute lacerations were enrolled. Enrolled patients were interviewed before and after their physician encounter in the ED and 2 weeks later. Physicians were interviewed in the ED after the patient encounter about factors that influenced their management decisions, including their perceptions of patients' expectations. We included patients with uncomplicated lacerations (without contamination, infection, bone, tendon, or joint involvement) for analysis.
Results: Of 436 patients enrolled, 260 had uncomplicated lacerations, and of these, 55 (21%) were treated with antibiotics in the ED or by prescription. Physicians were more likely to use antibiotics when the wound was more than 8 hours old, involved a puncture or amputation, and when the patient lacked medical insurance. A treatment course of 7 days or greater was given to 24 of 45 patients (53%) receiving outpatient prescriptions. Patient satisfaction was not associated with antibiotic use.
Conclusion: Antibiotics were used for about one fifth of ED patients with uncomplicated lacerations despite a lack of evidence for efficacy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Antibiotic Prescribing Practices of Emergency Physicians and Patient Expectations for Uncomplicated Lacerations
- Creators
- Samuel Ong - Olive View-UCLA Medical CenterGregory J. Moran - Olive View UCLA Med Ctr, Dept Emergency Med, 14445 Olive View Dr,Sylmar, Sylmar, CA 91342 USAAnusha Krishnadasan - Olive View UCLA Med Ctr, Dept Emergency Med, 14445 Olive View Dr,Sylmar, Sylmar, CA 91342 USADavid A. Talan - Olive View UCLA Med Ctr, Dept Emergency Med, 14445 Olive View Dr,Sylmar, Sylmar, CA 91342 USAEMERGEncy ID NET Study Group
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The western journal of emergency medicine, Vol.12(4), pp.375-380
- DOI
- 10.5811/westjem.2011.2.2115
- PMID
- 22224123
- PMCID
- PMC3236143
- NLM abbreviation
- West J Emerg Med
- ISSN
- 1936-900X
- eISSN
- 1936-9018
- Publisher
- Westjem
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Emergency Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984297147002771
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