Prophylactic systemic antibiotics for anterior epistaxis treated with nasal packing in the ED

Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting with spontaneous epistaxis who have anterior nasal packing are routinely prescribed systemic prophylactic antibiotics in spite of the lack of supporting evidence-based literature. Although there is literature that discusses infection rates with nasal packing for epistaxis and prophylactic antibiotics prescribing practices of otolaryngologists, this is the first study to our knowledge that examines the practices of emergency physicians.
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research