When it Comes to Antimicrobial Stewardship, Is a Boost Better Than a Nudge?

In Japan, the likelihood of appropriate antibiotic prescriptions for children is low. Thus, in 2018 a national program was implemented in which medical facilities were reimbursed about US$6.00 each time a practitioner did not prescribe antibiotics to children for an acute upper respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis, provided the rationale for not prescribing antibiotics, and gave further guidance for the necessary care.

To study the effects of this implementation, investigators assessed administrative databases from 2018 to 2022 and found that a total of about US$1.1 million was awarded. Comparing clinicians who had the opportunity to provide education on appropriate antibiotic use versus those who did not, the relative excess reduc…