Improving Adherence to Group A Streptococcal Pharyngtitis Guidelines to Decrease Unnecessary Antibiotics

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Kayla Walker (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common upper respiratory infections seen in primary offices , and the most commonly prescribed medications are antibiotics. The most common bacteria causing symptoms of sore throat is group A streptococci and this accounts for 20-30% in children , and 4-15% in adults (Shulman et al. , 2012). Utilization of Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT) providers can safely avoid the overuse of antibiotics (Shulman et al. , 2012). Without laboratory confirmation providers relying on clinical judgement alone are over estimating the disease by 80-95% (Sarrell , Giveon , 2012). In the case at a rural health department a chart analysis concluded providers were prescribing antibiotics 58.3% of the time for negative test results. The purpose of this scholarly project is to improve the adherence of the Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines to group A streptococcal pharyngitis in a local health department to help decrease unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics and decrease potential drug resistance. A retrospective chart analysis was conducted to determine a need assessment. With a need for improvement education and a luncheon was provided for clinical staff. With education and implementation of a new standardized process guideline adherence for group A streptococcal pharyngitis increased from 58.3% to 95% thus , increasing patient safety and decreasing patient cost. Decreasing unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics leads to decrease antibiotic resistance , and quality improvement projects similar to this project and potentially decrease antibiotic resistance by adhering to clinical practice guidelines.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2018

Keywords

GAS pharyngitis, RADT (Rapid Antigen Detection Testing), Centor and McIssac Score.

Subjects

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