COVID-19 and Antibiotic Prescribing in Pediatric Primary Care.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pediatric ambulatory encounter volume and antibiotic prescribing both decreased; however, the durability of these reductions in pediatric primary care in the United States has not been assessed.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures on antibiotic prescribing in 27 pediatric primary care practices. Encounters from January 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021, were included. The primary outcome was monthly antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 patients. Interrupted time series analysis was performed.

Results

There were 69 327 total antibiotic prescriptions from April through December in

SUBMITTER: Dutcher L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9825803 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature