Patterns of Antimicrobial Use Among Nursing Home Residents With Advanced Dementia

Abstract
Approximately 70% of the more than 5 million Americans with dementia will reside in nursing homes during the final stage of their disease.1 Recurrent infections and febrile episodes typically occur during this stage.2,3 Therefore, nursing home residents with advanced dementia are at high risk for exposure to antimicrobial agents. However, it remains unclear whether treatment of infections confers any life-prolonging or symptomatic benefit in this population.4,5 At the same time, administration of antimicrobials to frail older patients who are near the end of life is also a potentially burdensome intervention.6