Disclaimer

ACEP makes every effort to ensure that contributors to College-sponsored programs are knowledgeable authorities in their fields. Participants are nevertheless advised that the statements and opinions expressed in this article are provided as guidelines and should not be construed as College policy. The material contained herein is not intended to establish policy, procedure, or a standard of care. The views expressed in this article are those of the contributors and not necessarily the opinion or recommendation of ACEP. The College disclaims any liability or responsibility for the consequences of any actions taken in reliance on those statements or opinions.

[/fullbar]

References

1. Dagan R. Treatment of acute otitis media–challenges in the era of antibiotic resistance. Vaccine. 2000;19(Suppl 1):S9-S16.
2. McCaig LF, Hughes JM. Trends in antimicrobial drug prescribing among office-based physicians in the United States. JAMA. 1995;273(3):214-9.
3. McCaig LF, Besser RE, Hughes JM. Trends in antimicrobial prescribing rates for children and adolescents. JAMA. 2002;287:3096-102.
4. Schito GC et al. The evolving threat of antibiotic resistance in Europe: new data from the Alexander Project. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2000;46:3-9.
5. Worrall G. Acute Otitis Media. Can. Fam. Physician. 2007;53:2147-8.
6. Burke P., Bain J, Robinson D, Dunleavy J. Acute red ear in children: controlled trial of non-antibiotic treatment in general practice. BMJ. 1991;303:558-62.
7. Rosenfeld RM, Vertreers JE, Carr J, et al. Clinical efficacy of antimicrobial drugs for acute otitis media: meta analysis of 5400 children from thirty-three randomized trials. J. Pediatr. 1994;124(3):355-67.
8. Little P, Gould C, Moore M, et al. Pragmatic randomized trial of two prescribing strategies for childhood acute otitis media. BMJ. 2001;322:336-42.
9. McCormick DP, Chonmastree T, Pittman C, et al. Nonsevere acute otitis media: a clinical trial comparing outcomes of watchful waiting versus immediate antibiotic treatment. Pediatrics. 2005;115(6):1455-65.
10. Gurmaney H, et al. Diagnostic accuracy and the Observation Option in acute otitis media: The Capital Region Otitis Project. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 2004;68(10):1315-25.
11. Doern GV, et al. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among respiratory tract isolates of S. pneumoniae in North America: 1997 results from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance program. Clin. Infect. Dis. 1998;27:764-70.
12. Hermans PW et al. Penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae in the Netherlands: results of a 1 year molecular epidemiology survey. J. Infect. Dis. 1997;175:1413-22.
13. Observation Option Toolkit for Acute Otitis Media. State of New York, Department of Health, Publication #3893. March 2002.
14. Fischer T, et al. National trends in emergency department antibiotic prescribing for children with acute otitis media, 1996-2005. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2007;14(12):1172-5.
15. Block SL, et al. Spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry for the detection of middle ear effusion by pediatricians and parents. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 1998;17(6):560-4.

Questionnaire Is Available Online

This educational activity should take approximately 1 hour to complete. The CME test and evaluation form are located online at www.ACEP.org/focuson.