You know the criteria for prescribing antibiotics—Loeb’s Minimum, McGeer Criteria, and others—but are we truly practicing good antibiotic stewardship? Typically, antibiotics are prescribed for 7 to 10 days, depending on symptoms and diagnosis. However, a recent study from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences suggests that longer courses (8–14 days) do not lead to better outcomes or increased adverse effects compared to shorter courses (3–7 days) in community-dwelling older adults.

Additionally, the study’s sensitivity analysis, which examined antimicrobial resistance in patients with index and follow-up cultures, found no significant differences between those receiving longer versus shorter antibiotic treatments. In lower-risk individuals, the duration of antibiotic therapy may have minimal impact on both harm and benefit.

While the study focused on community-dwelling seniors, its findings could be worth discussing with your medical director and healthcare providers. Reducing medication use while maintaining effective treatment is always a goal worth pursuing. Consider presenting this information at your next QAPI committee meeting, consulting with your pharmacy provider, and engaging staff in discussions about strengthening antibiotic stewardship.

Stay well and stay informed!