Improved Antibiotic Use in Outpatient Settings Is Critical
All antibiotic use contributes to resistance, and appropriate antibiotic use is key to slowing the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and protecting patient safety. Yet a third of the antibiotics prescribed in outpatient settings such as doctors’ offices and emergency departments—about 47 million prescriptions annually—are unnecessary. And when antibiotics are the appropriate treatment, patients frequently aren’t given the right ones.
Pew works with a wide range of stakeholders—including federal agencies, health systems, and insurance providers—to improve antibiotic use in outpatient settings. It also supports efforts to advance antibiotic stewardship and research to better understand prescribing patterns and the effects of inappropriate antibiotic use.
additional resources
MORE FROM PEW
Explore Pew’s new and improved
Fiscal 50 interactive
Your state's stats are more accessible than ever with our new and improved Fiscal 50 interactive:
- Maps, trends, and customizable charts
- 50-state rankings
- Analysis of what it all means
- Shareable graphics and downloadable data
- Proven fiscal policy strategies
Welcome to the new Fiscal 50
Key changes include:
- State pages that help you keep track of trends in your home state and provide national and regional context.
- Interactive indicator pages with highly customizable and shareable data visualizations.
- A Budget Threads feature that offers Pew’s read on the latest state fiscal news.