Antibiotic Prescribing in U.S. Nursing Homes, 2013-2017.

In this national cohort of older adults residing long-term in U.S. nursing homes between 2013-2017, we calculated period prevalence estimates for antibiotic prescribing, rates of prescribing, and days of therapy. Among 1,375,062 residents, 66.2% were prescribed at least one antibiotic during the nursing home stay. The most prevalent antibiotic classes were fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides and related agents, and first generation cephalosporins. Levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim were the most prevalent antibiotics. These results can inform antibiotic stewardship interventions to reduce antibiotic overprescribing, improve appropriateness, and reduce related adverse outcomes in nursing homes.