CMS surveys assessing patient satisfaction could be contributing to the rise of antibiotic resistance, according to Jim Wilson, MD, director of Nevada Center for Infectious Disease Forecasting in Reno.
As bacteria continue to develop resistance to available antibiotics, researchers are searching for new treatments and the federal government is establishing new rules to prevent resistance. However, Dr. Wilson argues CMS surveys measuring patient satisfaction, which drive reimbursement, are pressuring physicians to overprescribe antibiotics to appease patients. Prior research suggests patients may be overprescribed antibiotics 45 percent of the time.
"We are driving physicians to give antibiotics inappropriately with our policies and that has got to change," Dr. Wilson told KUNR. "That's a big message for the federal government right there."
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