A model for improving and assessing outpatient stewardship initiatives for acute respiratory infection.

Many hospitals have established inpatient antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs), but outpatient activities remain limited. In 2016, the United Hospital Fund (UHF), an independent nonprofit working to build a more effective healthcare system for every New Yorker, launched a 2-stage grant-funded initiative to evaluate outpatient antibiotic stewardship, focusing on adults with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Conclusions from stage 1 included few outpatient antibiotic stewardship activities, variation in prescribing, macrolides as the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, and provider interest in improving prescribing.

Antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections in New York City: A model for collaboration.

Objective: To assess the status of antibiotic prescribing in the ambulatory setting for adult patients with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and to identify opportunities and barriers for outpatient antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs).

Design: Mixed methods including point prevalence using chart reviews, surveys, and collaborative learning.

Setting: Hospital-owned clinics in the New York City area.