CompletedNot Applicable

Evaluation of an Algorithm to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Bronchitis

3,300 participantsStarted 2009-10

Plain-language summary

Inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat patients with acute bronchitis is a significant factor contributing to the selection of antimicrobial drug resistant pathogens, which threaten the effectiveness of available therapies to treat common community-acquired bacterial infections. A key factor driving overuse of antibiotics is inaccurate estimation of pneumonia risk among patients with acute cough illnesses. This study will use a cluster randomized trial design within the Geisinger Health System's integrated clinic network to measure the efficacy of an algorithm driven clinical decision support tool to safely reduce the frequency of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for adult patients with lower respiratory tract infections.

Who can participate

Age range

16 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Primary care practice sites within the Geisinger Health System Exclusion Criteria: * Sites with \< 1000 visits per year for acute respiratory infection

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Proportion of visits to primary care clinic associated with antibiotic prescriptions

Timeframe: 30 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00981994

SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2011-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Acute Respiratory Tract Infection trials