ArticleThe Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy2023
Point prevalence audit surveys of respiratory tract infection consultations and antibiotic prescribing in primary care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.
Article in The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Primary care pharyngotonsillitis complications following absent or deferred antibiotic treatment across the COVID 19 pandemic.Communications medicine · 2026Article
- A feasibility study of the use of a patient leaflet for respiratory tract infection consultations in general practice in Ireland.Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE · 2026Article
- Article
- Trends in antibiotic prescribing in primary care out-of-hours doctors' services in Ireland.JAC-antimicrobial resistance · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundRespiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common reason for prescribing antibiotics in general practice. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on antibiotic prescribing and delivery of primary care in Ireland.
objectivesTo assess the quality of antibiotic prescribing, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Ireland.
methodsPoint prevalence audit surveys for RTI consultations were conducted as part of a European study at three time periods: January-February 2020, March-May 2020 and March-May 2021. Antibiotic prescribing was assessed and comparisons made between the three time periods.
resultsIn total, 765 consultations were recorded, which were mainly face to face before the pandemic, but changed to predominantly remote consultations during the pandemic surveys in 2020 and 2021 (82% and 75%). Antibiotics were prescribed in 54% of RTI consultations before the pandemic. During pandemic surveys, this dropped to 23% in 2020 and 21% in 2021. There was a decrease in prescribing of Red (reserve) agents in 2021. Assessment against indication-specific quality indicators showed a high proportion of consultations for bronchitis and tonsillitis resulting in an antibiotic prescription (67% and 85%). Point-of-care testing (POCT) to aid diagnosis of RTIs were utilized in less than 1% of consultations.
conclusionsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a reduction in antibiotic prescribing. Opportunities identified to support AMS in primary care in Ireland are targeted initiatives to reduce antibiotic prescribing for bronchitis and tonsillitis and introducing POCT to support appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
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