Antibiotic Prescriptions by Phone: Is It Safe for Patients?
According to a recent study by healthcare information firm Thomson Medstat, 40 percent of patients refilling an antibiotic prescription had not seen a doctor in at least a month. Researchers in this study analyzed 1.5 million claims for antibiotic prescriptions made in 2004 for children and adults under 65. Although some of these prescriptions were for already-diagnosed infections, many of them were for viral infections which would not have responded to any antibiotic. The researchers noted that prescribing antibiotics in this way is a factor in the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections. However, the research ultimately uncovered a more disturbing issue of increased reliance on Internet and phone-based communication between patient and healthcare provider. Thomson Medstat's analysis of prescribing without more contact between patient and healthcare provider concludes that medical societies need to establish new standards for this type of medical care and prescribing practice.