Outpatient Antibiotics Prescribed in the Past Month
This measure shows whether outpatient antibiotics were prescribed during the previous month, based on medication or health-record information.
It is a medication-use measure, not a test of blood, urine, or other samples.
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 71460-0
- Short code
- OUTPATIENTANTIBIOTICSPRESCRIBEDINPASTMO
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 10
- Ref high
- 40
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- esrd
- CPT
- 84484
- SNOMED
- 302774002
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
This item records whether you received a prescription for antibiotics during outpatient care in the past month. It may come from your medication history, pharmacy claims, or medical record and does not identify the specific organism causing an infection.
Why might I need this test?
Your care team may review this information to understand your recent antibiotic use, help evaluate recurrent infections, guide safer treatment choices, or support appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
How is the test performed?
This is generally calculated by reviewing prescription and healthcare records for outpatient antibiotic prescriptions within the previous month. It does not involve collecting a blood, urine, or other laboratory specimen.
How do I prepare for the test?
No fasting or other special preparation is usually needed. Bring an updated medication list if your care team is reviewing the result, and tell them about antibiotics obtained from another clinician, urgent care, or an online pharmacy.
Reference range
Adult: 10-40 U/LN/A
No special preparation required. Avoid fatty meals before the test if possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A recent outpatient antibiotic prescription may reflect a new infection or treatment of an existing condition. Repeated prescriptions may prompt review of recurring infections, incomplete treatment, side effects, or opportunities to use narrower treatment when appropriate. This measure alone cannot determine whether antibiotics were necessary, whether treatment was successful, or which organism was involved.
Short name
Recent Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions
Frequently asked questions
Does this result show that I have a bacterial infection?
Does a result showing no recent antibiotics mean I have never taken antibiotics?
Can I use this result to decide which antibiotic to take?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy