More information is needed to better understand antibiotic prescribing patterns in nursing facilities, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency noted that progress has been made in improving antibiotic prescribing and use, but opportunities for improvement remain. For example, a small CDC study of nine facilities showed that 11% of residents were taking antibiotics on any given day, and essential prescribing information was missing from nearly 40% of antibiotic orders.
“CDC is launching a larger study with more nursing homes across the country and pursuing partnerships with nursing home networks, pharmacies and other companies to identify where action is needed most,” the report stated.
The report also found that approximately 30% of antibiotics used in hospitals were incorrectly prescribed or unnecessary.
