Management of Cellulitis and Skin Abscess: Guidelines Help

Implementation of a management guideline decreased the use of antibiotics and healthcare resources without sacrificing clinical outcomes.

Skin and soft-tissue infections are extremely common, and recurrence rates are high. Although such infections are generally not associated with severe complications, they consume a sizable proportion of healthcare resources. In a recent retrospective analysis conducted at a Denver hospital, researchers examined whether a guideline for managing cellulitis and skin abscess could decrease the use of both antibiotics and resources without adversely affecting outcomes.

The researchers compared treatment and outcomes during 1-year periods before and after guideline implementation. The baseline cohort totaled 169 patients (66 with cellulitis, 103 with abscess); the intervention cohort, 175 patients (82 with cellulitis, 93 with abscess).

Resource uti…

Reviewing Author

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)