Self-reported antibiotic compliance: emergency department to general practitioner follow up.
BACKGROUND
General practitioner (GP) follow up is important in the management of patients who are discharged from an ED.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the antibiotic compliance and GP follow-up compliance rates in a population of patients seen and discharged from the ED with an antibiotic prescription. To test the hypothesis that the ability to nominate a GP is associated with improved antibiotic and GP follow-up compliance.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study enrolling consecutive adults who were discharged from the ED with antibiotic prescriptions over a 3 month period. Patients were divided into those who nominated a GP at the time of ED presentation and those who did not. Two weeks after enrollment, patients were contacted and asked standardized questions regarding compliance.


RESULTS
In total, 123 patients were enrolled into the study. Of patients 76% were able to nominate a GP upon ED presentation. Analysis revealed that those patients who were able to nominate a GP had better compliance to follow up instructions (85 vs 44%, P < 0.01) and improved antibiotic compliance (99 vs 88%, P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of patients who were seen and discharged from the ED with an antibiotic prescription were able to nominate a GP and this was associated with improved follow-up compliance and antibiotic compliance. Improving follow-up compliance and thus the quality of patient care would involve identifying those patients who present to the ED who are unable to nominate a GP.
Dinh
Michael M
MM
Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia. mikedinh74@hotmail.com
Chu
Matthew
M
Zhang
Kai
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents