Testing children with pharyngitis for strep
Strep testing is recommended for the detection of pharyngitis. The bar graphs show the percentage of children aged 2-18 who received a strep test to diagnose pharyngitis and then were given an antibiotic.
A higher percentage rate is better for this health measure. A higher percentage shows that more children and adolescents received an appropriate strep test before getting an antibiotic prescription medication to treat pharyngitis.
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![HMO Testing children with pharyngitis for strep](graphics/resp_pharyn_hmo.gif) |
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![PPO Testing children with pharyngitis for strep](graphics/resp_pharyn_ppo.gif) |
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Avoidance of antibiotic treatment* for children with upper respiratory infection
An upper respiratory infection (URI) is one of the most common illnesses, resulting in more doctor visits. The bar graphs show the percentage of children 3 months to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of upper respiratory infection (URI) and who were not dispensed an antibiotic.
A higher percentage rate is better for this health measure. It means more infants, children and adolescents were not prescribed possibly unnecessary antibiotic medication.
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*Inappropriate use of antibiotics has been shown to promote resistant bacteria that are more difficult to treat. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations urge physicians to avoid prescribing antibiotics when not medically indicated. Since the cause of most URI's is viral, antibiotics are unnecessary. |
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Avoidance of antibiotic treatment* for adults with acute bronchitis
Use of antibiotics usually is not an appropriate treatment for acute bronchitis. The bar graphs show the percentage of adults ages 18-64 years with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis and who were not dispensed an antibiotic prescription.
A higher percentage rate is better for this health measure. A higher percentage rate indicates that more adults with acute bronchitis were not prescribed possibly unnecessary antibiotic medication as part of their treatment.
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*Inappropriate use of antibiotics has been shown to promote resistant bacteria that are more difficult to treat. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations urge physicians to avoid prescribing antibiotics when not medically indicated. |
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Use of spirometry testing in the assessment and diagnosis of COPD
Spirometry testing measures air flow through the lungs and can confirm a COPD diagnosis. The bar graphs show the percentage of members, 40 years of age and older, with a new diagnosis or newly active COPD who received appropriate spirometry testing to confirm the diagnosis.
A higher percentage rate is better for this measure. It means more adults who are 40 and above received the best diagnostic lung function test for COPD.
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