The impact of Advanced Access on antibiotic prescribing: a controlled before and after study.

Advanced Access practices provide quicker access to appointments and this may lead to patients being seen earlier in the course of acute self-limiting illnesses, and therefore increased antibiotic prescribing. We examined the impact of Advanced Access on antibiotic prescribing. We undertook a controlled before and after study in 24 Advanced Access and 24 control practices, examining monthly antibiotic prescribing data. We found no significant change in prescribing rates between Advanced Access and control practices. There was no evidence that Advanced Access alters antibiotic prescribing behaviour.