Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in US ambulatory care settings, 2010-2015

The proportion of antibiotic prescriptions prescribed in US physician offices and emergency departments that were unnecessary decreased slightly, from 30% in 2010-2011 to 28% in 2014-15. However, a greater decrease occurred in children: 32% in 2010-11 to 19% in 2014-15. Unnecessary prescribing in adults did not change during this period.