A stewardship program significantly reduced systemic glucocorticoid prescribing for acute respiratory infections from 20.4 to 8.8 prescriptions per 100 visits.
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The study involved 14,530 visits among 10,808 patients at two urgent care centers over 14 months, focusing on high glucocorticoid prescribing rates.
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The intervention included clinician education, patient materials, and feedback on prescribing rates, leading to a gradual behavioral shift in prescribing practices.
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Despite a 58% reduction in glucocorticoid prescriptions, the study's limitations included lack of randomization and potential coding practice changes affecting results.
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The researchers called for further studies to assess the generalizability and effectiveness of stewardship interventions in reducing overprescribing in other settings.
