Antibiotics Are Overprescribed for Acute Bronchitis

Antibiotics were prescribed to too many patients and bronchodilators to too few at two emergency departments in San Diego.


There is ample evidence that acute bronchitis should not be treated with antibiotics, except in patients with pertussis or significant underlying pulmonary disease. Investigators conducted a chart review to characterize acute bronchitis treatment at two academic emergency departments in San Diego in 2008.

Of 836 patients with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis, 74% were prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotics were prescribed to 87% of patients with HIV, AIDS, or other immunosuppression; 81% with COPD; 76% with asthma; 77% with diabetes; 74% with more than one comorbid condition; and 72% with no comorbid condition noted. Among patients without asthma, 50% were prescribed a bronchodilator.


Citation(s):

Kroening-Roche JC et al. Antibiotic and bronchodilator prescribing for acute bronchitis in the emergency department. J Emerg Med 2012 Feb 16; [e-pub ahead of print]. (h