Appropriately prescribing antibiotics for patients with pharyngitis: a physician-based approach vs a nurse-only triage and treatment algorithm.

Objective: To assess the safety and appropriateness of antibiotic use in adult patients with pharyngitis who opted for a nurse-only triage and treatment algorithm vs patients who underwent a physician-directed clinical evaluation.

Patients And Methods: Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes to query the electronic medical record database at our institution, a large multispecialty health care system in LaCrosse, WI, we identified adult patients diagnosed as having pharyngitis from September 1, 2005, through August 31, 2007. Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome data were collected retrospectively.

Antibiotic treatment duration and long-term outcomes of patients with early lyme disease from a lyme disease-hyperendemic area.

Background: The length of antibiotic therapy and long-term outcomes in patients with early Lyme disease are incompletely described. We report the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with early localized and early disseminated Lyme disease based on the duration of antibiotic therapy prescribed.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study and follow-up survey of patients diagnosed as having early localized and early disseminated Lyme disease from 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2004 was conducted in a Lyme disease-hyperendemic area.

Telephone-based management of lactation mastitis.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of care for mastitis managed by telephone without an office or emergency room visit.

Study Design: A word search of electronic medical records allowed for identification of patients managed with a mastitis clinical practice guideline. Comparisons of outcomes were made to a group of patients who received care in the clinic, urgent care or emergency room.