Table 1 Common conditions associated with sub-optimal antibiotic prescribing in RACFs

Urinary tract infections

E.g. inappropriate prescribing in asymptomatic bacteriuria. Improving diagnosis and treatment of UTIs [5, 18, 21, 22]

Inappropriate and widespread use of long-term prophylactic antibiotics for prevention of UTIs

Respiratory infections

E.g. antibiotic use in RTI, including bronchitis. RTIs are usually due to viruses and antibiotic use is inappropriate—there is a need for education and improving diagnosis [22, 23].

Skin and soft tissue

E.g. inappropriate treatment of conditions frequently confused with cellulitis such as venous stasis; inappropriate treatment of ulcer or wound bacterial colonisation [22]. Inappropriate use of topical agents [7]. There is a need for further education and improving diagnosis.