Antibiotic prescribing and outcomes for patients with uncomplicated purulent skin and soft tissue infections in the emergency department

Introduction Current guidelines suggest adjuvant antibiotics after incision and drainage (I&D) of small, uncomplicated abscesses may improve patient outcomes, minimize pain, and prevent recurrence. The objective was to explore antibiotic prescribing at ED discharge and describe patient outcomes. Methods This was a health records review of adult patients (≥ 18 years) discharged from an academic hospital ED (annual census 65,000) over a 2-year period with diagnosis of an uncomplicated skin abscess. Outcomes included any unplanned return ED visits within 30 days, repeat I&D, and escalation to intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Results Of 389 ED visits, 85.6% patients underwent I&D, of which 62.2% were prescribed antibiotics at discharge. Of these patients, 36.7% received guideline recommended antibiotics (TMP-SMX or clindamycin). Of all patients who underwent I&D, 13.2% had an unplanned return ED visit within 30 days, 6.9% required repeat I&D, and 0.6% patients were escalated to IV antibiotics. Patients treated with cefalexin were more likely to have an unplanned return ED visit within 30 days (20.0 vs 5.3%; Δ14.7, 95% CI 4.6–24.4), and were more likely to have a repeat I&D within 30 days (13.7 vs 0%; Δ13.7, 95% CI 6.4–22.0), compared to patients prescribed guideline recommended antibiotics. Treatment with guideline recommended antibiotics reduced treatment failure significantly in MRSA positive patients (0.0 vs 44.4%; Δ44.4, 95% CI 13.4–73.3). Conclusions Antibiotics were prescribed for most abscesses that underwent I&D. Less than half of the patients received antibiotics that were guideline recommended. Compared to those who received cefalexin, patients prescribed TMP-SMX or clindamycin had fewer return ED visits and were less likely to have a repeat I&D within 30 days. However, adjuvant antibiotic use did not significantly improve outcomes overall, with most patients not requiring a change in management irrespective of antibiotic use.