Lawsuit fear linked to more antibiotic use

NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Liability concerns may play a role in the proliferation of "superbugs" in hospitals by encouraging doctors to prescribe more antibiotics, U.S. researchers say.

A team of researchers at New York Medical College analyzed census figures, statistics on population density of attorneys and physicians, and data on antibiotic utilization for the United States, Canada and 15 European countries.

Lead author Dr. George Sakoulas said the study found a strong correlation between the prevalence of methicillin resistance and density of attorneys in countries in Europe and North America. They found no correlation between prevalence of methicillin resistance and physician density.

Investigators surveyed 162 healthcare providers to determine whether medical liability concerns were as important as antibiotic cost and formulary restrictions in selecting treatment regimens.

The study, published in the American Journal of Therapeutics, confirmed physicians were more concerned about medical liability in cases of under-prescribing antibiotics than by over-prescribing, Sakoulas said.

"The findings suggest that more research is needed to evaluate the potential impact of medical liability concerns on the medical care system," Sakoulas said in a statement. "The study findings hint toward the importance of medical tort reform as a way to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality. Another way might be to foster more judicious prescription of antibiotics based on science and evidence."