Antibiotic Treatment

The development of antibiotic resistance is influenced by both the extent and paterns of antibiotic use. Relying on narrow-spectrum antibiotics and minimizing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, when possible, can help reduce the prevalence of resistance (1,2). Monitoring the extent of broad-spectrum antibiotic use is essential to promote their appropriate usage. .

Note: The list of antibiotics of concern is based on the U.S. HEDIS measures program. It includes cephalosporins of the second-generation and above, quinolones, carbapenems, beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations (e.g., amoxicillin/clavulanate), newer-generation macrolides (azithromycin and clarithromycin), and other antibiotics. This list is broader than the OECD definition of second-line antibiotics, but it distinguishes between first-generation cephalosporins and more advanced generations, and includes drugs such as azithromycin that are relevant to the paediatric population (3).

Below is the list of drugs included in the measure’s numerator:

Tigecycline-J01AA12

Chloramphenicol-J01BA01

Ampicillin and enzyme inhibitor [sulbactam]-J01CR01

Amoxicillin and enzyme inhibitor [clavulanate]-J01CR02

Ticarcillin and enzyme inhibitor [clavulanate]-J01CR03

Piperacillin and enzyme inhibitor [tazobactam]-J01CR05

Cefuroxime-J01DC02

Cefaclor-J01DC04

Cefonicid-J01DC06

Cefotaxime-J01DD01

Ceftazidime-J01DD02

Ceftriaxone-J01DD04

Cefixime-J01DD08

Cefditoren-J01DD16

Ceftazidime and Avibactam-J01DD52

Meropenem-J01DH02

Ertapenem-J01DH03

Imipenem-J01DH51

Ceftaroline-J01DI02

Ceftolozane and tazobactam-J01DI54

Clarithromycin-J01FA09

Azithromycin-J01FA10

Clindamycin-J01FF01

Ofloxacin-J01MA01

Ciprofloxacin-J01MA02

Levofloxacin-J01MA12

Moxifloxacin-J01MA14

Vancomycin-J01XA01

Teicoplanin-J01XA02

telavancin-J01XA03

Colistin-J01XB01

Linezolid-J01XX08

Daptomycin-J01XX09