Antibiotic prescribing rates for acute otitis media in a paediatric emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To audit antibiotic prescribing rates for acute otitis media (AOM) at a tertiary paediatric emergency department (ED).


METHODS
All children who presented to the ED in 2002 (during defined 4-week periods in spring, summer, autumn and winter) and were given a diagnosis of AOM were eligible for analysis. Data were extracted retrospectively, providing information on demographics and antibiotic therapy.


RESULTS
A total of 306 patients with AOM were available for analysis. Forty-three children (14%) were <1 year, 69 (23%) 1-2 years, and 194 (63%) > 2 years of age. Sixty-eight patients (22%) were receiving antibiotics prior to presentation to the ED, and antibiotics were prescribed for 206 (67%). Antibiotic prescribing was independent of patient age.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite ready access to clinical guidelines that recommend an expectant approach for children with AOM who are older than 1 or 2 years of age, antibiotic prescribing rates were high in the ED.
Steinmann
Kai
K
Emergency Department, Royal Children's Hospital, and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Babl
Franz E
FE
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008499:Medical Records; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents