Clinical Practice Points: Appropriate Use of Short-Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians

This guideline describes best practices for prescribing appropriate and short-duration antibiotic therapy for patients presenting with acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, community-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and cellulitis.

Use this article to:

  • Consider the clinical scenarios of 4 patients who present to the outpatient practice with the following conditions: uncomplicated acute bronchitis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, community-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and cellulitis.
  • Would you prescribe antibiotics? If so, which antibiotics, and for what duration?
  • Review how your responses correspond to the ACP recommendations.

Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine academic journal published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). It is one of the most widely cited and influential specialty medical journals in the world.

Back to the August 2021 issue of ACP IMpact