Table 4 Clinical signs, wound treatment and antibiotic prescription in cases with abscesses presented to private practices

Total number of cases

n = 216

At least one of the symptoms listed in the guidelines^a

Yes^b

65 (30%)

Unknown

85 (39%)

Local wound treatment

Yes^b

156 (72%)

Unknown

12 (6%)

Drain placement

Yes^b

33 (15%)

Antibiotic therapy

Yes^b

207 (96%)

  Antibiotic classes

Potentiated aminopenicillins

132 (64%)

Third generation cephalosporins

52 (25%)

Aminopenicillins

50 (24%)

First generation cephalosporins

12 (6%)

Fluoroquinolones

5 (3%)

Lincosamides

4 (2%)

Penicillins

1 (1%)

  Combination or serial therapy^c

Yes^b

48 (24%)

  Critically important antibiotic^c

Yes^b

57 (28%)

  Duration of therapy (days)

7 (1 ̶24)

Justification score^c

1

36 (17%)

2

16 (7%)

3

14 (7%)

4

65 (30%)

Judgement not possible

85 (39%)