Prescribing antibiotics increases the risk of resistant infections and can lead to patient harm. From December 2019 to November 2020, 389 ambulatory practices participated in a quality improvement project using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Antibiotic Use Program. The goal of the intervention was to support implementation and sustainment of antibiotic stewardship into practice culture, communication, and decision-making. Practices that completed the program and submitted data showed a significant decrease of antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections at program completion in November 2020.

… policies regarding antibiotic use. The program led to a significant reduction in antibiotic use over the 1-year period and a 20% reduction in C. difficile  infections. The approach … antibiotic stewardship programs.  … Tamma PD, Miller MA, Dullabh P, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(2):e210235. …

… engage patients in their care using electronic tools and a team-based provider workflow. …