When the Family Demands Antibiotics

Dear Dr. Jeff: Our antibiotic stewardship efforts have led to a series of conflicts with involved family members. Typically, they are vociferously demanding antibiotics for presumed urinary tract infections which do not meet the McGeer criteria for antibiotic use. While the families are generally well-meaning, our attempts to follow guidelines, even when accompanied by copies and other instructional materials, have produced shouting with threats of hotline calls, lawsuits, resident transfers, or even violence.