A new study has found that a substantial number of patients at urgent care clinics are being prescribed antibiotics, glucocorticoids, and opioids for conditions they don’t actually have. Despite being deemed “never appropriate” or “generally inappropriate,” these prescriptions were filled anyway, potentially putting the patients at risk.
Researchers analyzed data from over 22 million urgent care visits between 2018 to 2022 and found that nearly 2.8 million antibiotics, 2 million glucocorticoids, and 299,210 opioids were prescribed. However, many of these prescriptions were for conditions that don’t require the use of these medications.
The study suggests that a lack of information systems and inadequate education are contributing factors to this trend. Additionally, clinic doctors may be overprescribing due to patient demand or underappreciation of the risks associated with these medications.
Dr. Andrew Kolodny, an expert in opioid policy, agrees that clinics need better support and feedback to make informed prescribing decisions. He notes that while opioid prescribing has improved overall, urgent care settings still pose a significant challenge.
The study’s findings have sparked calls for greater drug stewardship programs, electronic health record systems, and medication education to optimize the use of these medications. The researchers emphasize that reducing inappropriate prescribing will require a multifaceted approach that benefits both patients and healthcare providers.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/urgent-care-clinics-pain-pills-b2794671.html