| Seasonal variation in community systemic antibiotic dispensing, percent |
This measure shows the percentage of seasonal variation in community systemic antibiotic dispensing. While bacterial infections increase during winter, increased prescribing in winter may suggest antibiotics are also being used to treat viral respiratory infections. This may represent an opportunity to optimise antibiotic use. |
Pharmaceutical Collection (PHARMS), PHO Enrolment Collection, Ministry of Health, New Zealand Resident Population - Stats NZ |
Health Quality & Safety Commission | Te Tāhū Hauora |
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| People dispensed a topical antibiotic in a year, rate per 100 |
This measure details the rate per 100 people dispensed a topical antibiotic in a year. Topical antibiotics have few indications while good skin hygiene and topical antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide or povidone iodine are recommended for treating localised or minor skin infections, including impetigo. In Aotearoa New Zealand, increasing use of topical fusidic acid has occurred concurrently with increasing fusidic acid resistance. For this reason, it is recommended that the use of topical antibiotics is limited. |
Pharmaceutical Collection (PHARMS), PHO Enrolment Collection, Ministry of Health |
Health Quality & Safety Commission | Te Tāhū Hauora |
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| People dispensed one or more systemic antibiotics in a year, rate per 100 |
This measure details the rate per 100 people dispensed one or more systemic antibiotics in a year. Research in Aotearoa New Zealand has found high rates of community antibiotic use with up to 95 percent of all antibiotics dispensed in the community, compared with 5 percent in hospital. This raises questions on the appropriateness of prescribing. |
Pharmaceutical Collection (PHARMS), PHO Enrolment Collection, Ministry of Health |
Health Quality & Safety Commission | Te Tāhū Hauora |
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| People in ARC dispensed one or more systemic antibiotics in a year, rate per 100 |
This measure details the rate per 100 people listed in aged residential care (ARC) dispensed one or more systemic antibiotics in a year. Research in Aotearoa New Zealand has found higher rates of community antibiotic use for older people in general and especially high rates for people living in ARC due to multimorbidity and frailty. Higher rates of antibiotic-resistant organisms are also found in ARC residents. |
Pharmaceutical Collection (PHARMS), Aged Residential Care (ARC) Funding, PHO Enrolment Collection, Ministry of Health |
Health Quality & Safety Commission | Te Tāhū Hauora |
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