How does Prescribing Antibiotics Directly Affect Patient Satisfaction in Patients with Acute Upper Respiratory Infections in the Acute Care Setting?

Authors

Jarica L. Thigpen, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Advisor

Elyse Watkins

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review how inappropriately prescribing antibiotics for acute upper respiratory infections affects patient satisfaction in the acute care setting.

Method: A literature review was conducted with PubMed and the Cochrane library. The literature search used search terms including acute upper respiratory infections, antibiotics, patient satisfaction, and acute care.

Results: There is a direct correlation between being prescribed antibiotics and increased satisfaction in patients that receive treatment for URIs in the acute care setting, however, a direct correlation was also established between increased satisfaction and patients who received a better understanding of their viral illness not requiring antibiotics.

Conclusion: The inappropriate use of antibiotics for the treatment of viral URIs is an ongoing epidemic. The action of receiving a prescription for antibiotics despite a diagnosis of viral illness directly increases patient satisfaction amongst patients in the acute care setting. However, increased patient satisfaction was also found in patients diagnosed with viral URIs who received education regarding their viral illness and the inappropriate need for antibiotics. Given this information, it can be concluded that it is possible to maintain patient satisfaction while also reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions in URIs by providing patients with a better understanding of their illness.

Keywords: acute upper respiratory infections, antibiotics, patient satisfaction, acute care, emergency medicine, viral upper respiratory infections, acute bronchitis, common cold, symptomatic treatment, and patient expectation.

Recommended Citation

Thigpen JL. How does Prescribing Antibiotics Directly Affect Patient Satisfaction in Patients with Acute Upper Respiratory Infections in the Acute Care Setting?. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2019; 1(4).