Identifying prescribers of antibiotics in a primary care spinal cord injury cohort

This study looked at where people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) get their antibiotics. Individuals with SCI may be frequent antibiotic users due to recurrent infections. The study found that most antibiotics were prescribed by doctors in primary care practices. Continuity of care may also be extended from a single physician to a clinic or medical group. People in urban and rural areas were more likely to get antibiotics from emergency departments or other primary care services, rather than their regular primary care doctor. Healthcare practice patterns and access to health care services differs across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

• 1
  Rostered-primary care practice physicians prescribed the majority (58.9%) of dispensed antibiotics to the SCI cohort.
• 2
  Individuals in urban and rural areas were more likely to receive antibiotics from emergency and non-rostered primary care physicians compared to those in suburban areas.
• 3
  Nitrofurantoin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic class for the SCI cohort.