Trial of Post-Dated Delayed Antibiotic Prescriptions

Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Clinical Trial

Official title:

Post-Dated Versus Voluntary Delayed Antibiotic Prescriptions for Acute Respiratory Infections in Primary Care: A Randomized Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02732847
• Other study ID #: worrall1
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2007
• Est. completion date: March 2009

Study information

• Verified date: June 2006
• Source: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Delayed prescriptions have been shown to lower antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections (which are mostly viral).

This trial will test the hypothesis that if the clinician post-dates the delayed prescription by 2 days, rather than dating it on the day the patient is seen, there will be a further drop in the rate of antibiotic use.

Description:

6 family doctors and 2 nurse practitioners in a small rural town will issue delayed antibiotic prescriptions to adult patients with new acute respiratory tract infections. The delayed prescriptions will be randomly dated for either the day of the office visit, or 2 days later. The 2 local pharmacies will note whether the prescription is cashed, and when.

It is hypothesised that post-dating the prescription will result in a reduced cashing rate.

Each arm of the study (Usual v Post-Dated) will contain 75 subjects. This sample will have the power to detect a 25% change in prescription use.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 149
• Est. completion date: March 2009
• Est. primary completion date: March 2009
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 years or older

• Adults with an untreated upper respiratory tract infection

• Adults presenting for the first time to a family physician or a nurse practitioner

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less that 18 years

• Having a clear indication for antibiotic therapy

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
• Infection
• Respiratory Tract Infections

Intervention

Other:
• A delayed prescription dated 2 days after clinical office visit

Drug:
• Usual Dated

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Memorial University	St John's	Newfoundland and Labrador

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Number of Participants That Filled a Prescription in 20 Days	Prescriptions	20 days